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Parents and teachers press Greenville County Schools to allow ABA services and bolster supports after recent safety concerns
Summary
Dozens of parents, teachers and specialists told the Greenville County board that district denials of in‑school applied behavior analysis (ABA) and one‑on‑one supports have endangered students and violated guidance; callers asked for a task force, clearer ADA processes and immediate steps to let outside ABA providers work in schools.
Dozens of parents, teachers and advocates used the board’s public‑comment period to press Greenville County Schools for faster access to medically prescribed applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, more one‑on‑one supports and clearer procedures under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The speakers, many of them parents of autistic children, said recent events exposed gaps in supervision and special‑education services. "If we don't have change I'm afraid of how many more children are going to have to perish before something is actually done," said parent James Bellow, one of 17 speakers the board heard that night.
Why it matters: parents and staff said denials of outside ABA providers and of one‑on‑one aides have left students at risk, increased suspensions and harmed children's mental health. Multiple speakers described incidents where an individual student eloped from school or was confined without parent consent; several called for an immediate task force to produce short‑ and medium‑term fixes.
What speakers asked the board to do: callers requested (1) that the district allow vetted outside ABA providers to deliver services in schools (with funding through insurance where possible), (2) creation of a representative task force to recommend changes, and (3) clearer, faster ADA accommodation timelines. Parent Alicia Taylor said her family had waited 40 days for ADA consideration; Jennifer Murray described repeated denials of IEP meetings and multiple suspensions for her son.
District guidance and legal context: Brendan Gary cited South Carolina Department of Education guidance instructing districts to assess ABA on a case‑by‑case basis and said the Americans with Disabilities Act requires accommodations for medically necessary behavioral treatment. Speakers urged the board to interpret federal and state guidance so that outside providers who are credentialed can deliver services in classrooms and relieve overburdened teachers and aides.
Board response and next steps: the board did not take a formal vote on policy changes that evening. During the rules read at the start of the public‑comment period, Dr Styles noted the board will not engage in dialogue during comments and that the superintendent would designate staff to respond to speakers. No formal timeline for staff follow‑up was announced at the meeting.
Representative remarks: "There was no transparency and minimal communication and I was lied to," said Amanda Meyers, describing denied supports and restraint incidents involving her daughter. "These services can be built through insurance providers," Brendan Gary told the board, arguing outside ABA would impose no direct financial burden on the district.
What remains unresolved: speakers said the district continues to issue blanket denials of outside ABA services despite parent requests and state guidance; the board did not adopt any immediate policy changes and did not set a public deadline for staff to report back. Community members requested a clear plan, stronger oversight and faster ADA processes.
The meeting ended without a board vote on special‑education policy; speakers were told a staff member would be designated to follow up with commenters.
