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Parents, alumni raise concerns about special education support and DDA basketball-court costs
Summary
During public comment the alumni association pledged to support facilities and repay loans, while a parent criticized the district’s communication methods and special education services; the board noted a DDA basketball-court bid of $97,000 exceeds a $50,000 pledge and the project is in early planning.
At the New Lothrop Board meeting on Sept. 16, alumni and parents used the public-comment period to press the district on facilities and special education supports.
JR Birchmeier, speaking for the alumni association, thanked the facilities committee and said alumni "fully pledge that will be paid back what the district lends us and we are 100% in support to that," indicating alumni willingness to support facility improvements.
A parent, identified in the minutes as Jeri Birchmier, criticized district communications and special-education services. During public comment she said a new QR-code system sent home for parent communication is "not acceptable" and described her child’s ongoing needs: "he can still only ready 35 words and he still attends private tutoring. He also needs speech, he gets maybe 20 minutes a week." The minutes record these as concerns raised during public comment; the board minutes do not include a staff response or action taken during the meeting.
Separately, District official Wayne Wright reported that the Downtown Development Authority had solicited a local contractor bid for new basketball courts. Wright said the DDA’s pledge toward the courts was up to $50,000 but the bid presented was $97,000; he said siting and maintenance remain open questions and the project is still in its infancy.
None of the public comments or the DDA court discussion produced a formal board action at the Sept. 16 meeting. Board members did not record a response to the parent’s special-education concerns in the public minutes; follow-up through staff reports or future agenda items would be required for resolution.
