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Parents press board on low science test scores and worries about special‑needs program changes
Summary
Public commenters raised concerns about 2025 MCA science proficiency rates and a proposed merging program that may affect Hazel Park Preparatory's special‑needs services; a parent recounted injuries and alleged prior abuse and asked the board to consider families before a final decision next month.
During the public‑comment portion of the Nov. 18 meeting, community members urged the board to set measurable goals for science proficiency and to consider the impacts of proposed program mergers on students with special needs.
Keiko Bridal cited preliminary 2025 MCA science results and said, "only 17.6 percent of students achieve minimum state standards, with only 9.6 percent of eighth graders achieving the minimum state standard of proficiency in science," and asked what measurable goals the board plans to set for 2026.
Alana Shaw, a Hazel Park Preparatory parent, described concern about a proposed school‑merging program and recounted two incidents involving her children: her daughter required 24 stitches after an injury at a pre‑K program and her son experienced alleged abuse at another school. Shaw said Hazel Park accepts students with higher needs and asked the board to consider those families before making final decisions next month.
Board staff acknowledged public comment and said the board will vote on related decisions in December; administration and board members did not offer immediate policy changes on the public comment items during the meeting.
Next steps: Board members and administration said the Zuki/Hmong work group and the superintendent’s office will continue engagement with families and present additional work and timelines at upcoming committee and regular meetings.
