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Parents urge Highlands County School Board to address special‑education gaps and staffing investigations
Summary
During public comment, multiple parents and a substitute teacher urged the board to improve special‑education services and investigative procedures; speakers described children failing grades, long busing to other counties, and perceived investigatory shortcomings.
Several members of the public used the board’s comment period to press the Highlands County School Board on special‑education services and personnel procedures.
Danielle Bridal described her 15‑year‑old son, Jason Jordan, as an ESE student who has failed grades repeatedly despite supports. She said private placements were unavailable in Highlands County, that her son has needed summer school for years, and that district staff had told her his IQ was one point above a threshold that would have changed his services. “I’ve begged. I’ve cried. I’ve screamed,” she told the board, asking for an advocate and clearer guidance on supports.
Tina Jordan said her 9‑year‑old — she named Williams syndrome as the child’s diagnosis — cannot be served locally and must ride a bus into Polk County for school because Highlands lacks appropriate programs. She described the toll of long travel times and repeated medical appointments and urged the district to consider local placements so families do not endure lengthy daily commutes.
A substitute teacher who identified himself as William Weber said he faced multiple allegations while substituting at an Avon Park middle school; he said the investigation record did not reflect a thorough inquiry, criticized the process used, and said that while he was later cleared to substitute at some schools he was restricted from middle schools. Weber urged the board to create clearer, standardized investigative procedures.
Gene Statler urged the board to accept donated Bibles for classrooms through a local ministry center and set a deadline for board action by the second meeting in January.
Board members acknowledged the speakers and said staff would follow up; the superintendent and other board members said they would check into the situations and expected staff to report back on next steps. Public comment concluded without board action at that meeting.
What the board said it will do: attendees were told staff would follow up on the issues raised, and Mrs. Howerton (board member) and other members said they would investigate details and return with information to the board in coming meetings.
