Parent urges change in recommended placement for autistic student; superintendent to follow up

A parent told the Evesham Township School District Board of Education that a recommended classroom placement for her daughter, who has autism, would be harmful and asked the board to intervene.

Tanisha Sherdan said her daughter, a student at Rice Elementary School, had been recommended for a classroom placement the parent believes does not meet the child's academic and support needs. Sherdan described attempts to coordinate support, including requesting an RBT (registered behavior technician) in class during potty‑training and conducting in‑person and virtual observations that led her to conclude the recommended class would cause regression. "All I want is my daughter to be moved," Sherdan said. "If my daughter was in a regular class and she didn't have autism, would it be a problem?"

Superintendent Dr. Smith acknowledged prior email communication with the parent earlier the same day and told Sherdan he would follow up after the meeting.

Discussion vs. decision: The remarks were public comment regarding an individual student's placement. The transcript records district staff offering to follow up; no formal board action, IEP meeting outcome or administrative placement decision was recorded in public session.

Why it matters: Parents raising individual placement concerns can prompt administrative follow up, IEP reviews or additional staffing decisions; the district acknowledged it would follow up with the parent in this case.

Next steps: Superintendent said he would continue the conversation with the parent after the meeting.