Parent tells Paramount USD board of bullying, unmet special-education needs

During the public-comment portion of the Paramount Unified School District Board meeting on July 24, a parent, Monica Rodriguez, urged the board to act on school safety and special-education concerns.

Rodriguez said she earlier reported incidents (dating to May 14) involving alleged continuous physical assaults, aggression and bullying of her child at Paramount Park Middle School during the 2023–24 school year and said she had not received a response or report on those incidents. She also criticized the district’s special-education supports, saying some IEP goals are not met, tutoring and services are insufficient and that many students complete the year without required skills. Her remarks called on the board to oversee improvements and to ensure staff respond appropriately when students report depression or safety concerns.

Why it matters: Public comments raised timely questions about school safety, student mental-health responses and the adequacy of special-education services. Board members and staff later acknowledged the need for clearer processes and committed to follow-up; one board member requested a September update on discipline procedures and pupil-services protocols.

What’s next: The board’s public discussion following the comments included a pledge to provide further oversight and a direction that staff present more detail at a future meeting on discipline procedures and pupil‑services supports. The parent said she would not allow another incident and asked the board to provide a report back to affected families.

The parent’s public comments were translated by Anna Galavan during the meeting.