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Parent urges board to keep autism classroom separate at Liberty High
Summary
In public comment, Debbie Painter asked the board to pause plans to combine an autism classroom with a moderate classroom at Liberty High School and warned that the suggested staffing change (an $80,000 salary referenced) would harm students who need consistent routines and individualized instruction.
During public comment, Debbie Painter identified herself and urged the Raleigh County Schools board to reconsider a plan to combine an autism classroom with a moderate classroom at Liberty High School.
"For our children, structure is essential," Painter said. "Combining these classrooms disrupts the system that keeps them safe and helps them learn." She warned that the consolidation would remove an "exceptional special education teacher" and noted an $80,000 salary figure mentioned in board materials in connection with the proposed military/agricultural program, asking where those funds would come from if special-education staff were reduced.
Painter acknowledged support for new programs that aim to reduce the dropout rate but said those efforts must not come at the expense of students with the greatest needs. "Please don't take away the special ed students who already have enough obstacles," she said, urging the board to "pause and reconsider" the staffing and classroom changes.
Board members did not announce a final decision on the proposal during the meeting; the comment was recorded during the personnel discussion portion of the agenda.
