Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Education Parent Advocacy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parent tells Banning Unified board officers were present when she raised special-education concerns; asks for investigation
Summary
A parent told the Banning Unified board that school staff summoned police or had officers waiting when she arrived to raise concerns about special-education services and asked the board to investigate, clarify parent–school interaction policies and protect parents of students with IEPs.
Miyosha Washington told the Banning Unified School District Board of Trustees that school staff called police or had officers present when she calmly went to campus on Sept. 9 to raise concerns about her child’s special-education program. Washington, speaking during public comment, said an assistant principal hung up on her, threatened arrest for trespass before any conversation began and that the response felt retaliatory.
“Let's be clear. I have never been aggressive nor have I caused the scene nor have I been disrespectful to school staff, but it seems that my presence alone is being treated as a threat,” Washington said, adding that as a parent of a student receiving special-education services she feels criminalized and frightened.
Washington cited what she called the "Individuals with Disability Act, section 504," and said the U.S. Department of Education treats retaliation for parent advocacy as a violation of federal law. She asked the board to investigate incidents over the past two school years, to clarify district policies for parent–school interactions and to ensure parents of students with IEPs are protected from retaliation. Washington also requested a meeting with the superintendent or a district representative.
Board members did not provide an immediate response during the public-comment period. At the end of the meeting, a board member asked that the district’s weekly communication include an update about the two parents who commented this evening to provide follow-up and next steps.
The remarks were made during the meeting’s public-comment period; no formal action or vote followed Washington’s request. The board’s report from closed session earlier in the evening recorded approval of three student-placement cases but did not reference the public comments. Washington’s characterization of events and her request for investigation were presented as comments to the board; the district’s investigative response and any formal findings were not given during the meeting.
