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Parents and students urge Vancouver School District to reverse plan to close Flex Academy (Lehi)
Summary
Dozens of parents, students and staff told the Vancouver School District board the planned closure of Vancouver Flex Academy (Lehi) was handled poorly and will remove a legally necessary, effective placement for many students with disabilities. Speakers urged the board to pause and find alternatives.
Dozens of parents, students and staff packed the Vancouver Public Schools boardroom on Jan. 15 to plead with trustees to reverse or pause the district's decision to close Vancouver Flex Academy (commonly called Lehi).
"Flex was a godsend for us," parent Bruce Anderholt told the board, saying his freshman daughter's horticulture and ASL programs and the small-class environment helped her thrive. Anderholt said the closure appeared to have been announced as a "fait accompli" and that required steps under IDEA and FAPE, including prior written notice and individualized consideration of alternatives, had not occurred.
Several parents recounted similar experiences. "My son is autistic," Erin Stepanek said. "Before Flex Academy, school was not a place of learning…
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