Parent alleges special-education mistreatment and asks board to review investigation before hiring

A parent, Ashley Crawford, used the public-comment portion of the Battle Ground School Board meeting to describe a prolonged dispute over special-education supports for her child and to ask the board to review documents about the case before the district hires new special-education leadership.

Crawford said her child, "Hudson," has an individualized education program and that the family experienced retaliation, intimidation and breakdowns in written communication while attempting to secure legally required supports. She alleged that an employee named Connor McCroskey retained access to her child's records during an active investigation and that staff members were discouraged from using email and were "monitored." Crawford said similar concerns have been reported by families in other districts and that an external investigation by the Miller Nash law firm is underway in Washougal.

"No parent should walk into an IEP meeting feeling unsafe, unheard, humiliated while trying to fight for their child's rights," Crawford said in her remarks and offered to provide documentation to the board.

The chair thanked Crawford for providing written materials and told her the board would discuss the matter with the superintendent. No board action or vote was taken on the allegation at the meeting. Board leaders said they take such reports seriously and will review the submitted materials with district leadership.

Because the claim concerns personnel, ongoing investigations, and student privacy, the board did not discuss details in open session beyond acknowledging receipt of the written documents and promising staff follow-up.

Next steps: the board said it would review the written documentation with the superintendent and staff and follow district policy for handling complaints and investigations; Crawford said she would share documents by email.