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ESE advisory says new policy has gaps, presses district for bus‑attendant curriculum
Summary
ESE advisory council praised passage of policy 4900 but raised concerns that parental review language says 'may' instead of the advisory's proposed 'must,' and advisory members pressed staff for an actual BCPS bus‑attendant curriculum and data on completion.
Members of the ESE (Exceptional Student Education) Advisory Council told the Broward County School Board that while they support the recently passed policy 4900, the policy contains wording and supporting‑document gaps that should be corrected.
The advisory speaker said the policy language about parental review of an alleged incident currently uses "may" and that the advisory proposed it read "must," arguing the stronger wording would prevent loopholes and ensure parents have access to the relevant footage. "I provided wording: parental review of the alleged incident must be permitted to include up to 30 minutes before and after the alleged incident," the advisor said.
Advisory members also sought a concrete bus‑attendant curriculum. They said staff provided a job description that lists a 40–50 hour initial training requirement, but repeated requests since April for the actual BCPS bus‑attendant curriculum and materials have not produced the requested documentation. Advisory members asked for data showing what percentage of ESE bus attendants have completed the curriculum or equivalent training.
District staff responded that bus attendants are assigned under each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and that personnel complete initial training described in the job description, including safety, first aid/CPR and on‑the‑road training. Advisory members maintained that a job description is not a curriculum and asked staff to provide the curriculum, training materials and completion data.
The advisory said it will continue raising related issues — including how district policy applies to contract schools where BCPS students are served — and requested clearer staff responsiveness to advisory input and timely supporting documents.
