Portsmouth parent tells school board contracted buses left his son without transport; family plans IEP complaint

Brian Jackson told the Portsmouth school board on Nov. 6 that his son, a student with an individualized education program, did not have transportation to school and that the family has received no meaningful response from the district. "I made it to my job parking lot only to do a U‑turn to go back because I received the message that my son still does not have transportation," Jackson said, describing a two‑hour, 94‑mile trip to ensure his child could get to school.

Jackson accused the district of contracting "untrained, ill‑equipped transportation companies that do not care about special needs children" and said the family will pursue a formal complaint. "Your silence is loud, and your inaction has turned my family's pursuit of the American dream into a Portsmouth nightmare," he told the board.

The speaker said the district had promised reimbursement but characterized communications about relief as dismissive. He also said he believes the district is out of compliance with his son's IEP and will "continue to fight for my son's rights." The board did not provide a public response during the meeting; the clerk had earlier advised that the superintendent and administration will handle follow‑ups to comments requiring a response.

Context: The board's public‑comment rules remind speakers that naming private individuals can raise confidentiality or defamation concerns and that the board, superintendent or administration will not respond publicly during the meeting. Jackson's statement requested district action and signaled a formal complaint was forthcoming; the meeting record does not show an immediate district reply or an announced next step from the board.

Next steps: Jackson said he will file a complaint against Portsmouth Public Schools; the district's formal response and any staff investigation were not reported in the meeting minutes.