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Parents ask board to pause plan to dissolve Kennedy SDC class, cite harm to students
Summary
Multiple parents, students and advocates told the Newark Unified School District board that the planned dissolution of the special day class (SDC) at Kennedy Elementary will destabilize students who rely on routine and specialized instruction; the board asked the superintendent to investigate and report back.
Parents, students and advocates urged the Newark Unified School District board on April 21 to pause a plan to dissolve the Kennedy Elementary SDC (special day class), saying the change threatens students’ routines and progress.
"This transition of this magnitude will not be a simple adjustment for him. It will likely result in regression," said Ann Kisaga, identifying herself as a longtime Newark resident and parent, speaking about her son Avery and the classroom stability he found at Kennedy.
Fongwin, a parent and student advocate, told the board the district had cited "low enrollment" as the rationale but parents report Kennedy’s SDC class has consistently had nine to 12 students. "Transferring these students to other sites will likely place an excessive burden on staff and school leadership," Fongwin said, and asked the board to "pause this decision, provide transparency, and allow families to select the new site for their children."
Other parents and students testified to the classroom’s positive effect. A student speaker told trustees that moving his brother would force him to leave friends and programs he values.
Speakers also raised related concerns: Cindy Parks questioned a pulled HR‑related agenda item, arguing that contract language and implementation for eliminated positions appear to contradict one another and could increase the workload for remaining staff. Public commenter Mr. Carrie Nuke and others listed earlier district decisions they said caused avoidable community friction.
Superintendent (unnamed in the transcript) acknowledged the concerns and said she would look into them. When asked directly by the board to investigate and report back, she said, "Yes, I'd be happy to do that."
No formal action to change the decision was taken at the meeting; trustees directed the superintendent to follow up with additional information and return to the board. The district did not provide new enrollment counts or a final implementation plan at the meeting.
What’s next: The superintendent committed to reporting back to the board; families asked for a pause and clear, timely communication about enrollment data, reassignment options and implementation timelines.
