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Parent urges board to prioritize special-education staffing and accountability
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Summary
Danielle Johnson, a parent of a student with a disability, urged the board to increase funding and prioritize hiring qualified special-education teachers, nurses and aides, to enforce accountability when harm occurs and to ensure safe staff-to-student ratios.
During the public-comment portion of the April 21 meeting, Danielle Johnson, mother of a Frederick County student, urged the School Board to make special-education staffing and student safety top priorities.
Johnson said the district currently faces a "critical need" for increased funding and prioritization of special education services. "Our schools cannot function safely or effectively when there are not enough qualified special education teachers, nurses, and instructional aides in place," she said, and called for appropriate staff-to-student ratios, training, and clear accountability when mistakes or harm occur.
She asked the board to act "not later, but now" to ensure transparency when incidents occur and to prioritize funding for staff, training and safety protocols. Her remarks were made during the public-comment period, which allows residents three minutes each to address the board; Johnson framed her plea as focused on protection, responsibility and the district's duty to all students.
The board did not take immediate action during the meeting in response to Johnson's remarks, but the transcript records her request and the clear call for prioritization of special-education staffing and accountability.
