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Parent says schedule change excludes preschoolers with special needs; board asked to revisit transportation policy
Summary
A parent told the board his preschool child with special needs can no longer attend an inclusive aftercare program because a dismissal‑time change and the district's transportation rule (referring to policy 8600) prevent transport to out‑of‑catchment daycare; the parent said district staff denied an exception and provided a curt response, and trustees asked administrators for follow‑up.
During public comment, parent Kevin Lynn said a district dismissal‑time change has effectively excluded preschoolers with special needs from aftercare programs that accept therapy providers, because the transportation department will not transport to locations outside a student's catchment area.
"We came up with a solution for our son that would cost the district no money at all … The transportation department immediately denied our request as EB's policy states they will only transport to a location in the catchment area for the school or our home," Lynn told the board. He said the family paid for an inclusive daycare willing to host his son's ABA therapist, and that losing transportation would likely force an out‑of‑district placement for his child.
Lynn read an excerpt of a district reply that denied his request and said a revision to regulation 8600 "is not planned to be undertaken" and that the matter was closed.
Board members acknowledged the issue and asked administrators to review whether policy 8600 could be applied with more flexibility in cases where families secure inclusive day‑care and private therapy. Trustees asked for follow‑up from transportation and the business administrator and said they expect districts to balance adherence to policy with options that avoid losing in‑district services for students with the greatest needs.
Administrators did not change policy at the meeting but said they would follow up with the family and report back to the board.
