Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parent urges committee to review exclusion of special‑needs student and provide documentation
Summary
Tony DeSimis, speaking as a parent and advocate, said his son Julian (an IEP student with PTSD) was sent home and not allowed to return until evaluation, described the exclusion as a suspension under IDEA, and requested records and a manifestation determination review; the superintendent was asked to follow up by email.
During the public comment period Tony DeSimis addressed the committee as a parent and advocate for his son Julian, who DeSimis said is covered by an individualized education program (IEP) and lives with PTSD. He alleged Julian was sent home and barred from returning to school pending an evaluation and characterized that exclusion as a suspension under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
"This exclusion, while not labeled as suspension, is by definition under IDEA... a suspension," DeSimis said, and he requested documentation including the suspension slip and incident report and said he intends to trigger a manifestation determination review to evaluate whether the conduct was a manifestation of Julian's disability or resulted from failure to implement the IEP. DeSimis urged the committee to consider broader implications for families without advocacy resources and to ensure trauma‑informed practices and accommodations prevent similar exclusions.
The committee chair asked the superintendent to follow up by email with the requested documentation and next steps. No hearing or formal adjudication occurred during the meeting; committee members requested administrative follow‑up and records.
