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Parents press Matthews school board on special-education staffing, classroom safety and new observation regulation
Summary
Multiple parents told the board that special-education positions at the elementary school are vacant or filled by unlicensed staff, reported violent incidents and delayed notifications, and objected to newly published observation regulations (KK-R) that limit immediate classroom visits; board members said regulations clarify an existing visitor policy and the superintendent said he will meet the teacher the next day.
Several parents and community members used the boardmeeting's public-comment period on Dec. 16 to urge immediate board action on special-education staffing and classroom observation rules.
Kelly Lockerbie (identified herself and gave her address) told the board she is "disappointed and concerned" that the elementary school will again be without a licensed special-education teacher for students with disabilities for a second consecutive year. She said IEPs are not being followed, that curriculum is delivered by unqualified staff, and that parents were not receiving follow-up from the board after prior public comments: "This population of students is being consistently failed by the school division," Lockerbie said.
Cassandra Mathiesen described an incident she said involved a violent student in a SPED classroom who repeatedly struck and kicked teachers, paras and other children; she reported that her nonverbal daughter was assaulted around noon and that she did not receive notification until 4 p.m. She said the school characterized the episode as lacking intent and that her family sought medical documentation at a hospital (CHKD) the next day.
Rebecca Mullins and other parents said multiple paraprofessionals and a highly qualified special-education teacher have resigned because of repeated violent incidents and insufficient support, and they objected to a new observation regulation that requires a five-day notice for some classroom visits. Mullins said the change limits parents' ability to directly observe nonverbal students who cannot report what happened in class.
Board members clarified that KK is an existing visitor policy and that the K K-R materials presented are regulations and forms tied to that policy (regulations do not require board adoption); Superintendent Daniel said he had a meeting scheduled with the teacher the next day and that matters requiring a formal response will be directed to the superintendent for follow-up.
The board did not vote on any new policy at the meeting. Parents requested direct follow-up and recommended that multiple administrators spend time in the affected classroom to ensure adequate support and retention of staff.
