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Parents and special‑education staff press Stockton Unified for more special‑ed staff, equipment and smoother high‑school transitions
Summary
Multiple public commenters told the board ongoing shortages in special‑education staff, slow delivery of assistive technology, broken mobility vans and a lack of high‑school transition programs for autistic students are harming services and causing staff departures.
During the public comment period, multiple educators, parents and special‑education staff told the Board of Trustees they are seeing staffing shortages and service gaps that affect students with disabilities.
Terry Welch, a teacher at Jane Frederick, said the campus is down a resource teacher and pleaded for “qualified teachers” to ensure students’ IEPs are implemented. Dr. Laurie Crawford, RSP teacher and chair of the SPED disability committee, said tools and time are missing: she described a two‑year wait for a laptop that arrived without proper specifications and noted a district mobility van has been broken for two years.
Susan Tighe, who said she taught both elementary and special education, described a “big gap” in continuity between K‑8 autism programs and high school services and urged the district to expand transition programs and self‑contained and inclusive options at the high school level so that students have continuity through graduation. Substitute teacher and parent Ashley Chavez said a lack of paraprofessionals prevents mainstreaming and keeps her son from attending field trips; she asked for CPI training and more consistent staffing.
Speakers asked trustees to prioritize recruitment, ensure devices meet students’ specifications and to provide supports that reduce teacher burnout. Dr. Crawford also called for workload reviews and better planning so staff can carry out IEPs and maintain legal compliance.
The superintendent acknowledged the comments in her report and later announced immigration‑support events and other engagement efforts; trustees did not vote on new special‑education policy at the meeting.
Representative quote: “Time, tools and support are what is needed for our teachers and all our professionals serving the individuals with special needs in our school district,” Dr. Laurie Crawford said.
