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Parents and teachers urge board to restore South Harrison special-education position, citing IEP compliance risks
Summary
Three public delegates — a parent, a teacher-advocate and a staff member — testified that eliminating a special-education teaching position at South Harrison High would jeopardize students' federally protected IEP services; board members said administrators promised flexibility to reinstate the role if needed.
During the public-delegations portion of the board meeting on May 19, three speakers urged the Harrison County Board of Education to retain a special-education co-teaching position at South Harrison High School and warned that eliminating it would put Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) at risk.
Michelle Graham, who identified herself as the parent of a student with an IEP, said the plan is legally binding and cannot be overridden by staffing choices. “My son's IEP is legally binding,” she told the board. “If the district lacks the personnel to deliver the services outlined in his plan, then the district is out of compliance.” She asked the board either to restore the position or to provide an alternative that fully meets the IEP as written.
Barbie Paul, who framed her remarks around existing policy obligations, cited Policy 2419 and argued the board has a statutory duty to provide a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Paul described the South Harrison program’s current structure (co-taught core classes, small-group special-education classes and alternate-assessment classes) and warned a single staffing cut would leave the school unable to meet those service needs. She said an experienced candidate sitting in the audience stood ready to apply if the position were reinstated.
Dr. Michelle (self‑identified) described operational consequences of a shared co-teacher, saying the workload multiplies when one teacher is expected to cover multiple co-taught classes and caseloads: overlapping assessments, doubled lesson planning, increased IEP meetings and a higher risk of staff burnout. “This sets everybody up for failure,” she said, arguing that overloading remaining staff would undermine the quality of services and staff retention.
Board discussion did not show a final, immediate reinstatement vote. Board member Dr. Santilli said she had been inclined to keep the position but accepted assurances from administration that they could “pivot immediately and put it back in” if the district later demonstrates the position is necessary; she said she will hold staff accountable for that pledge. No formal motion to reinstate the position was recorded in open session during the meeting.
The testimony prompted the board to acknowledge the concern and to flag staffing as an item administrators should monitor during final personnel assignments for the coming school year. Parents and advocates may expect follow-up from district administration about staffing decisions and any postings for the position.
