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Parents and advocates urge action on bus safety, HVAC limits and special‑education staffing
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Summary
Public commenters told the board about hot classrooms during testing, unsafe behavior on afternoon buses and shortages of special‑education teaching assistants, asking the district to pursue HVAC upgrades, bus monitors and alternative TA certification pathways.
Three written comments read at the April 16 meeting and an in‑person CPAC speaker pressed the Albany board to address facilities, transportation safety and special‑education staffing.
Mary Nolan, representing the Albany Special Education Parent Advisory Council, said the district named 84 "special‑education heroes" this year but warned that vacancies and turnover leave many TA positions unfilled and urged the board to support continued training, better wages and alternative pathways into TA certification so the district can retain people who know students’ needs.
Among emailed comments read aloud, Kim Rochelle urged the board and state offices to add a maximum temperature threshold to property‑maintenance rules because older two‑pipe HVAC systems force some buildings to keep heat on through May 31, producing stifling conditions during spring testing. "Asking our students and staff to endure stifling temperatures while trying to learn and be assessed is inconsiderate," the comment read.
Renee Serbu and Emily King described escalating student misbehavior on CDTA afternoon tripper routes — fights, throwing food, unsafe behavior — and urged the district to fund compensated staff or bus monitors empowered to intervene. King warned that the district’s relationship with CDTA is at risk if drivers keep calling out and that some families rely solely on CDTA for transportation.
District officials acknowledged the concerns and said transportation and school leaders are responsive and engaged; administrators have previously placed staff on buses as a temporary measure and are exploring compensation or ambassador programs. The meeting record shows no formal vote or immediate policy change resulting from the public comments.
Sources: In‑person public comment (CPAC) and three written comments read into the record.
