Parents and staff press Lodi Unified for special-ed staffing and clearer harassment procedures

Multiple public speakers and employee group representatives told the board they are concerned about special-education staffing shortages and school-climate issues, and they asked the board to direct administration to develop enforceable procedures to address harassment and student conduct.

During public comment on consent and reports, Billy Yates and other parents described persistent shortages of RSP (mild/mod) teachers and special-education staff at several schools, warning that plans for interventions cannot succeed without consistent, credentialed staff. A public commenter said assessment teams report caseloads "of 80 to 100 students" when substitutes or uncredentialed staff are assigned, calling that workload "not sustainable."

An employee-group speaker who identified themselves earlier in the meeting as representing the local education association described instances of student-on-student harassment captured in screenshots and asked the board to require the district to provide clear procedures and enforcement. The speaker told the board, "This is a crime," and pressed for directives on what staff should do when students use phones to harass classmates, including guidance on confiscation and reporting.

Board members acknowledged the concerns and asked staff to provide updates on current practices and training. Superintendent Young said employees receive annual harassment-prevention training and that staff will work with district leaders to provide an update on site procedures. Trustees asked staff to return with a specific report on special-education staffing conditions and potential steps to improve recruitment and retention.

Next steps: Board asked administration to compile and present an update on special-education staffing and on existing policies and training regarding harassment prevention and reporting.