Parent advocate urges Tempe Union to partner on programs for students with Down syndrome after district changes

At the Tempe Union High School District governing board meeting, Betsy Lynch spoke during public comment as both a parent of a child with Down syndrome and advocacy chair for the Down Syndrome Network of Arizona, urging the district to partner with the organization after recent programming changes.

"I am here today, not only as a mother of a child with Down syndrome, but I'm also a board member and the advocacy chair for the Down Syndrome Network of Arizona," Lynch said. She described her son’s progress and emphasized that consistent supports enabled his gains in communication and independence.

Lynch said the change in district programming for students with disabilities—phrased in the transcript as a change "from Success University to the bridal to success"—has raised concerns about how support services will be structured and whether students will continue to receive sufficient time and individualized support. She offered the Down Syndrome Network as a district partner to help advocate for and design supports so students can "foster and grow" their opportunities.

Superintendent Dr. Wilson and the board thanked Lynch for her comments; no formal action was taken during the meeting. Lynch’s request for a partnership and for clarity on programming will be a matter staff may follow up on through study or placement on a future agenda under board rules limiting action on public comment.

Provenance: Public comment and superintendent response (topic introduced SEG 174; comment concluded SEG 233).