Parent tells Warren County Schools board her autistic son was denied supports, urges immediate action

Morgan Tyler, a parent of a child enrolled in Warren County Schools, told the board during public comment that her 5‑year‑old son, Sterling, has an established autism diagnosis and was denied supports after entering the district. “My son Sterling has been failed by this system,” Tyler said. She described repeated requests for help that she said went unanswered and said the school denied an IEP after evaluation. She said the child was receiving outside behavioral services and a proposed classroom behavioral technician was ready to start “now,” but the district had not approved that support.

Tyler said the child’s behaviors escalated over months and that delays left him behind academically, emotionally fragile and less confident. “At what point does delay become neglect?” she asked the board, urging immediate implementation of qualified behavioral supports and ‘‘accountability so that no other family has to fight this hard just to be heard.’’

During her statement a staff member interjected to remind the public‑comment speaker and the board that policy limits public comment about confidential student and personnel information; a district staff member instructed Tyler to follow up with the superintendent or director on confidential matters. The board did not take immediate action on the comment during the meeting.

The parent said she will continue to advocate for her son and for other students with disabilities until supports are implemented. The board later discussed and approved a resolution urging the state legislature to pass a budget that would include expanded funding for exceptional‑children services—an item board members said would help districts meet such needs.