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Parents press Jackson-Madison County Schools for dyslexia programs and clearer appeal process after campus ban
Summary
Two parents urged the Jackson-Madison County Schools board to adopt districtwide, evidence-based dyslexia interventions and to establish transparent appeal procedures for bans from school property; one parent also raised concerns about school transportation safety and district communication.
Two parents used the public-comment period to press the Jackson-Madison County Schools board on student support and district transparency.
Brandy Latham, who identified herself as a single mother of a child with ADHD, ODD, sensory processing challenges, dyslexia and asthma, said she has spent more than a year seeking appropriate special-education supports for her son. Latham said the district does not have a districtwide, evidence-based dyslexia intervention and that families are paying out of pocket for programs such as Orton-Gillingham. She cited what she said were state data showing "only about 28 percent of students in the district are proficient in reading and only about 24% are proficient in math," and she urged the board to "invest in evidence based dyslexia programs to train educators in structured literacy and to create a culture where parents are included in the conversation." Latham asked for improved communication and transparency so parents are not forced to file complaints or hire attorneys to be heard.
Silver Thurston, who identified herself as a parent, said she was banned from Jackson Madison County school property on Sept. 25 after an incident at Rose Hill and has not been given a meaningful appeals process. "I have never been given a meaningful way to appeal the decision," she said, adding she has filed grievances, sent emails and made calls that went unanswered. Thurston also raised student-transportation concerns, saying school buses "go 60 to 70 miles per hour down the bypass," and suggested the district use GPS data on buses to improve oversight and accountability.
Staff member Dale reminded speakers that each public comment was limited to three minutes and that the public comment period is a time for speakers to address the board rather than for board members to respond. The board offered no formal response to the specific requests at the meeting. The meeting concluded after a moment of silence for a bereaved family and an adjournment.
