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Parents urge Bonita Unified to provide one-on-one support after student hospitalized following seizure
Summary
Multiple speakers told the board a second-grade student suffered a seizure on the first day of school, was hospitalized with a concussion and facial lacerations, and remains out of school; callers urged the district to provide monitoring staff or a paraprofessional so the child can return safely.
Several parents and former educators used the public-comment period to press the board for immediate support after a second-grader had a seizure on the first day of school and sustained a concussion.
Monica McCourt, a retired special-education teacher and long-time San Dimas resident, described the incident: "On the first day of school, this bright and happy little boy had a seizure... He ended up having a concussion, lacerations, and bruising to his face. He was hospitalized for several days," McCourt said, and added the child has not yet returned to school because caregivers say he needs someone to monitor him.
Other speakers with education experience echoed the call for a dedicated aide. Mike McCourt, also a longtime special-education teacher, said that for students who have frequent seizures a paraprofessional is "quite common" and explained that a general education teacher cannot reasonably both guard 25 students and closely monitor one student with a medical condition.
Derek Cooper, a retired teacher and family member of the child identified as Daniel, described the emotional impact on classmates and urged the board to help the child return to school as soon as possible. Maria Plasencia, also a teacher and family member, thanked trustees for their work and reiterated that Daniel has been kept out of school because parents say they fear there is no one to assist him during a medical emergency.
During the meeting several speakers asked why resources appeared to be spent on legal defense in some parent disputes rather than ensuring adequate classroom supports; speakers framed that as a district priority question. The trustees did not announce an immediate operational remedy at the meeting, but heard the concerns and received requests for follow-up.
