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Torrance parent asks board to review 504 placement and urges transparency in class assignments
Summary
A Torrance parent told the board her neurodivergent fourth‑grader with a 504 plan was reassigned to a teacher unfamiliar with his needs and asked the board to immediately review the placement and publish districtwide placement criteria to ensure equity.
Sally Sherman, a parent in Torrance, told the board her son, a neurodivergent fourth‑grader at Carr Elementary with an active 504 plan, was reassigned to a classroom she said lacks continuity and supports. Sherman said the placement decision, in her view, undermined her son’s legally protected access to education under Section 504 and raised equity concerns because other families with closer ties to school leadership or who live outside the attendance area received preferred placements.
Sherman asked the board to take two actions: to intervene and review her son Apollo’s placement immediately, and to publish transparent districtwide criteria for how class placements are decided so resident students with documented needs are prioritized over nonresident preference placements. She said she raised concerns through school channels but was told no changes would be made and asked the board to provide oversight.
The board heard the public comment; no immediate action was recorded on the transcript. Sherman requested a board review and greater transparency in placement decisions.
