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Parents press Whitehall‑Copley board on special‑education supports and program cuts; exchange grows heated
Summary
Parents urged the board to preserve Tech Ed and to allow trained behavior‑health technicians (BHTs/RBTs) to work in schools; a contentious exchange followed over an MOU, program cuts and internal decision‑making, with at least one board member accusing others of an 'unethical phone call.'
Two parents told the education committee they were alarmed by program reductions and gaps in supports for students with disabilities, and the committee and public engaged in a blunt exchange about an MOU and program preservation.
At the start of the education committee meeting, parent Kelly Ophelia described repeated incidents involving her 7‑year‑old daughter, saying the assigned paraprofessional did not de‑escalate or prevent physical episodes and asking the district to authorize trained behavior‑health technicians (BHTs) or registered behavior technicians (RBTs) to work in schools and follow IEP protocols. "I just think we really need to consider this. This is what she needs," Ophelia said, describing a classroom removal that left other students in the hallway for 45 minutes.
Community member Brianne Okela said she and others have repeatedly offered alternatives to personnel cuts and said they feel the board has not listened. "We all understand the financial hardship the district is in, but we also simply try to show the board that there are other options," she said, adding that public commenters reported being interrupted or dismissed.
Discussion moved to a rejected memorandum of understanding (MOU) that some board members said had been reviewed in executive session by the superintendent and solicitor; one committee member repeatedly said she had not been allowed to see the MOU and accused others of an "unethical phone call" tied to a prior vote. Other board members rejected that characterization and said the administration had recommended the staffing changes; the meeting record shows no formal investigation or vote that resolved the accusation.
Board members and staff reaffirmed that every program matters and said they would attempt to preserve core opportunities where possible. "Every 1 of our students that's in this district matters," one board member said, and staff indicated curricular adjustments will aim to keep STEM and other opportunities available, albeit sometimes in a restructured form.
What’s next: staff said the MOU and related documents can be reworked and that they will present relevant items to the board; the public will see formal agenda items and contract renewals at the June 22 board meeting where decisions may be taken.
