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Parents and staff press board on 504 implementation and counselor staffing at Franklin Pierce High School
Summary
Two public commenters asked the board to negotiate a proposed MOU on Section 504 plans immediately and to address counselor shortages at Franklin Pierce High School; the speakers said delays risk leaving students without legally required supports.
During the meeting’s public-comment periods, district staff and union representatives raised concerns about Section 504 plan implementation and counselor staffing.
Marcy Wickwine (speaker 19), the district educational audiologist, told the board the current structure for implementing Section 504 is inadequate and that dozens or possibly hundreds of students may be receiving accommodations without proper evaluation. "The current structure for implementing section 504 in this district is inadequate," Wickwine said, and she said a multidisciplinary team composed of district staff produced proposed MOU language that was not taken up for negotiation by district administration.
Jake (speaker 9), speaking for the Franklin Pierce Education Association, urged the district to negotiate the proposed MOU within 30 days and said counselor staffing at Franklin Pierce High School has dropped from five to three (with two counselors on leave), leaving the school short-staffed. "At Franklin Pierce High School, they're specifically in trouble. Their counselors are down from 5 to 3," Jake said, and he asked the district to return a transferred counselor and provide a substitute while the team is short.
Board members thanked the speakers and said staff will follow up; the meeting then moved into executive session. The comments place pressure on the district to address 504 identification, case-management responsibilities, and school counseling capacity promptly.
