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Parent urges clear communication after district outlines special-education staffing shifts
Summary
A parent at the Bethlehem Central School District public hearing urged clearer, consistent communication about proposed special-education staffing changes—specifically eliminating a middle-school CSE chair and leaving a CPSC chairperson position vacant—and asked for data showing how continuity will be preserved.
At the district's May 6 budget hearing, Kelly Petricola addressed the board and administration with detailed concerns about proposed changes in special-education leadership and asked for clear public explanations and data showing how continuity and consistency of services for students will be maintained.
Petricola, who identified herself for the record, thanked administrators and SEPTA members for responsiveness but said that the proposal she reviewed appears to eliminate the middle-school CSE chair and leave the CPSC chairperson position vacant while "incorporat[ing] CSE and CPSC chairperson responsibilities into the department's leadership structure." She told the board: "Continuity and consistency are essential for their success...We cannot lose time or have gaps. It hurts our children more than our neurotypical peers."
Context provided during the superintendent's earlier report explained that, as part of staffing changes tied to retirements and shifts in responsibilities, the district plans to reassign some duties between existing K–5 and 6–12 positions and have the director and assistant director assume certain out-of-district placement and special-program responsibilities. The superintendent said the district expects a special-education audit draft report by the end of the school year and plans a presentation to the board in September; board members requested that the audit presentation explain IDEA accountability categories and itemize the gains the district made.
What the parent asked for: Petricola requested a clear public plan describing who will perform CSE/CPSC responsibilities, how families will be informed, and supporting data that demonstrate continuity will not be lost. The issue was not resolved at the meeting; the district signaled it will provide more detail when the audit report and follow-up presentations are available.
Next step: the administration expects to receive a draft audit report and to present findings and implementation steps to the board in the fall; parents and SEPTA remain engaged and have asked for data and direct communications in the interim.
