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Parents press Anderson board to fix IEP compliance, back 7–8 discipline matrix
Summary
Parents and community members urged Anderson Community School Corp. trustees to adopt a 7–8 discipline matrix, ensure TBRI training is applied with fidelity, and address alleged IEP implementation gaps after speakers described repeated missed meetings and a December noncompliance finding.
Board members heard more than an hour of public comment on student discipline and special education implementation during the May 11 Anderson Community School Corp. board meeting.
Several parents praised recent meetings with administrators and urged the board to adopt a 7–8 discipline matrix tailored to developmental needs. "We strongly encourage that the seventh and eighth grade matrix will be able to be implemented for that age group who is gonna be developmentally and socially fitting for that age group," said Abrielle Johnson, who said she and other parents had met with board member Mandy Webb and Mr. Shimer to discuss changes.
Administrators told the board they are reviewing the district's discipline handbook and leaning on TBRI training for staff. "If you look at our current data right now, we are doing good things," Mr. Shimer said, describing data declines in referrals and arguing the matrix can increase consistency and predictability. He outlined one practical change: limiting a Probationary Continued Education Agreement (PCEA) so it ends when a student graduates an alternative program rather than lasting a full semester.
Other speakers pressed for more than policy language. Cassie Longcore described repeated attempts to resolve IEP-related service gaps for her son, saying the district's own audit has shown compliance weaknesses and that her son’s school was found noncompliant in December for failing to follow his behavior plan. "This is not simply frustrating. It has real consequences," Longcore said, asking the board to ensure a promptly scheduled, appropriately staffed meeting to address outstanding issues.
Tammy Dixon Tatum urged the board to dig beneath headline statistics, noting the claim that "60 percent of first-time suspended students do not reoffend" requires context about what happens to those students after suspension. Mary Baker Badiza recommended virtual town halls and Spanish interpretation to broaden participation in future stakeholder sessions.
Board President Mandy Webb acknowledged the comments and pledged follow-up, offering to meet privately with concerned parents after the public session and to share the planned schedule for matrix review and town halls.
Next steps: administrators said they will continue work on a proposed matrix and bring recommended handbook changes to a future meeting; parents asked the board to schedule inclusive meetings that include appropriate special-education team members.
