Parent urges Park Ridge CCSD 64 to restore PT 3 forums for families of students receiving special education

Micah Philbrook, a member of the public who spoke during the meeting's public-comment period, urged the Park Ridge CCSD 64 Board of Education to restore PT 3 meetings and to provide regular, district-level forums that give families of students receiving special education services the same visibility and opportunity for shared dialogue that other community events provide.

Philbrook said the district recently held a community meeting with open dialogue about student behavior and culture that "was thoughtful" and the kind of space families have been asking for. He said families navigating special-education services are often directed to individualized channels or IEP teams that "do not provide the same transparency or opportunity for a shared understanding," and that PT 3 meetings previously served that broader role but "have since disappeared." He asked, "Will the district commit to restoring PT 3 and creating consistent district level opportunities for our families to engage in meaningful dialogue?"

The presiding officer read the public-comment rules at the start of the period, reminding speakers they have three minutes, should avoid naming individual students or staff, and that the board will listen but not immediately respond or take formal action on non-agenda items. The transcript records no direct response from board members to Philbrook's request during that meeting.

Context from the meeting record: the request came during the public-comment portion of a routine board meeting. The transcript does not include a staff or board pledge to restore PT 3 meetings, nor does it list a timetable or next steps for district action on the request.

The board proceeded to regular agenda items after public comment, including updates and a personnel vote.