Parent tells Tooele board his son's IEP process left family feeling pressured
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Summary
A parent publicly told the Tooele Board the district pressured his family during an emergency IEP meeting, said required prior written notice was not provided, and warned he may pursue mediation with the state if problems persist.
Travis Prowett told the Tooele Board of Education during public comment that his family has continued struggles with his son’s Individualized Education Program and the district’s special-education process. Prowett said an emergency IEP meeting left him and his wife feeling "bullied and pressured into signing a placement decision that we did not agree with," and he said the district failed to follow procedural requirements for prior written notice under Utah and federal law.
Prowett acknowledged that some supports have been implemented, including morning transportation that began in December and increased one-on-one support in the general-education classroom. Still, he said he has requested prior written notice so he can appeal the decision to the state school board and that he has a meeting scheduled on the 19th with a district official he named as Marissa Lowry. "I hope that we don't have to proceed to a mediation with the state on this," he said, but added he will pursue the process if necessary.
Board members did not respond directly during public comment but noted the comments were recorded and that additional information can be provided to the board via email as the family pursues administrative remedies.