School Committee's Letter to the Editor

Can I be cynical..... (0.00 / 0)

and say that here, on the blog, anyone who would have responded to them would have had the protection of anonymity that some people said they needed for fear of reprisal. In the Dedham Times responding with a letter to the editor you have to include your name. I don't think they publish anonymous letters....

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by: dj @ Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 20:40:24 PM UTC

Hmmmm... (0.00 / 0)

Maybe they didn't want to be compared to Eichmann, or Pol Pot, or perhaps Castro?

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by: stebivule @ Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 20:40:51 PM UTC

It's done elsewhere, why not here? (0.00 / 0)

Maybe..... they, as elected "servants/representatives" of their community, should step back and find a way to better serve the needs of their constituents (instead of hiding from criticism); and attempt to take ownership for their part in the contentious issues that have come to light.  This blog (and earlier ones) seem to suggest that a capacity for "reflection and re-evalulation" on the part of the school committee and Superintendant would be very heathly things for this district and I have to say that I would agree.  It's done elsewhere, why not here?

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by: DYNAYH @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 04:12:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Every Vote Counts (0.00 / 0)

We can all stand up at the polls and voice our opinion on the school committee.

It might take a few years as terms expire but maybe we can sift out the members who we feel are not acting in the best interests of the students, parents and teachers.

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by: dj @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 13:20:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

not the reason? (0.00 / 0)

I had a different reaction: someone must be running for re-election.

Unless my memory fails me there is an uptick in communications from the the School Committee when it's re-election time: raise the profile, remind people what a good job they are doing, support current majority members, etc.

And check out the public outreach part of their Strategic Plan, page 32: lots of plans to talk with groups and - my favorite - "enhanced information" on the web site but literally no specific proactive measures to either involve non-school taxpayers or to routinely provide budget or performance information to taxpayers.

http://www.dedham.k12.ma.us/ad...

Just a few years ago the School Committee routinely published budget letters and asimilar information design to tlet the taxpayers know that the SC is doing and where they are going.

As much as I really like words, it's more than a a bit disappointing that the SC decided to communicate less about budget matters.

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by: kei-o-lei @ Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 21:38:53 PM UTC

Open Forum (0.00 / 0)

If the School Committee had responded on this blog, it would have opened up a forum for residents to ask questions that the School Committee might not want to answer. And besides that, June Doe wouldn't be very happy about it.

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by: Craig @ Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 22:52:33 PM UTC

Not The Only One (0.00 / 0)

Did yuo hear what Tracey Driscoll had to say about Journalists last night at the meeting???  I dont think she would be Happy to answer questions here either.

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by: Holly @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 01:10:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Maybe it's her kid (0.00 / 0)

Getting the home tutor. I have no idea who it is but have heard first hand the teacher leaves the school in order to service a school committee members child. Seems very coincidental that June then gets her contract squared away with no bumbs in the road unlike the teachers. Also of the 19 position lost how many are going to be in Administration. I'm sure there is more fat there than in some first year teachers/aides.

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by: setheman @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 13:51:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hey, Let's All Play (0.00 / 0)

I have an idea, why don't we all take wild stabs at whose kid it is. Then, when we figure it out, let's post the kid's picture online. Then let's go to their home and harass the entire family.

This blog is heading straight down the rabbit hole.  

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by: stebivule @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 14:58:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

A time to act! (0.00 / 0)

Thanks for brining this back to the forefront Holly.  I haven't posted any updates for a few days as I've been pretty busy with other things but I have heard from a number of parents and have continued to do some research on these issues.  I have been truly moved by some of the stories I've been told by parents of special education parents - these are people who try to do the absolute best for their kids but are terrified to speak up in fear of retribution against their children.  We cannot let this stand.

I was particularly troubled to hear a Selectmen comment's on this blog that it was an inappropriate venue for discussion of these issues - my question would be what is a more appropriate venue and why aren't these issues being investigated by elected officials, a point to which I will return shortly.  I was also troubled to see the insulting letter from the School Committee in the paper, a clear response to this blog.  It was apparent that they were trying to connect our serious exchange over the treatment of Special Education students to contract negotiations, economic conditions, and union activity.  I'm not a big labor person myself but this is simply an obnoxious way to deal with very serious issues.

And so, I now submit several questions that I have investigated the past few days for your consideration:

-  Were teachers reassigned from their classroom to tutor a student at the home of an elected official?  - Yes  
-  Were the classes adequately and appropriately staffed with special education teachers when the reassignment took place? - No
-  Is it normal practice to reassign teachers mid-year to tutor during the day at someone's home when they had normally been assigned to a classroom?
   - No
- Were the parents of the students in the classroom informed of this decision and advised of plans for substitute coverage? - No
- Was the elected official to whom the tutoring was provided involved in the negotiation and signing of the Superintendent's contract? - Yes

As you can see from these questions and their troubling answers, the situation we have is most serious.  As many have you alluded to, there are times when it is appropriate to provide at home services to children - in fact, it is the law that these services be provided when appropriate and indeed, if that child deserves these services then he or she should receive them.  The issue is the way in which these decisions were made, the subterfuge surrounding them, and the volatile and shockingly explosive reaction from the Superintendent and the School Committee to our discussion on the blog about such issues.  

As I mentioned earlier, we need our elected and appointed officials to investigate these issues but it has become quite clear that both the Superintendent and perhaps some members of the School Committee have been comprised with conflicts of interest.  Until these matters are resolved, our town with be darkened with a cloud of deceit and fraud that has been perpetrated not only on Dedham's citizens, but sadly on her children.  

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by: quincy71 @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 01:14:38 AM UTC

Some thoughts on Quincy's post... (0.00 / 0)

volatile and shockingly explosive reaction from the Superintendent and the School Committee

That sounds a bit over the top ... the superintendent declined to comment and requested (not demanded) that the original post be removed, citing privacy concerns. The school committee wrote a letter to the paper. I'm truly not seeing shock and awe.

-  Is it normal practice to reassign teachers mid-year to tutor during the day at someone's home when they had normally been assigned to a classroom?
  - No

I would agree with that, but I would add the caveat that the school department was faced with an abnormal situation, and sometimes those situations call for out-of-the-ordinary responses.

it has become quite clear that both the Superintendent and perhaps some members of the School Committee have been comprised with conflicts of interest.

I don't see the evidence to see that a conflict is "clear" on anyone's part. I see some conjecture and some smoke that may lead to fire, but not clarity.

Item I will not quote

Providing identifying information, even in the thinly-veiled backhanded way that you did it, is to me inexcusable. Two wrongs certainly don't make a right.

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by: stebivule @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 02:54:52 AM UTC

Tutoring situation one of abnormalcy (0.00 / 0)

Stebivule,

I do not remember anything written about the abnormal situation when this blog began requiring tutoring.  Do you have knowledge that others are not privy too? that required this type of situation to be acceptable?  No situation is that abnormal to warranty a change in availability of a tutor for just one student.  When tutoring is necessary ALL situations are Out-of-the ordinary, and need the same accommodations.

Personally, I know of one situation where two children of the family needed tutoring, (different years) followed  protocol.. and still had a difficult time received tutoring, in a timely fashion.  When it did begin it was only available after school hours,.. Per Dedham Public Schools special education department.  

Have I missed something Here?  

 

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by: newjourney @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 03:15:13 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Tutoring vs. In-Home Services (0.00 / 0)

Tutoring (additional help to enhance a student's learning in one or more subjects) and In-home Services (specialized instruction provided to a student whose disability precludes them from attending school for an extended period but does not require an outplacement to a private school) are two vastly different things. Tutoring is fairly common, In-home services are rare but not unheard of.

No situation is that abnormal to warranty a change in availability of a tutor for just one student.

Across this country, there are thousands of students receiving individualized in-home services for the reasons I described above.  In order to provide temporary services using the limited resources at their disposal, many of the affected districts utilize teachers who would normally work in group settings. Again, this is not tutoring, but in-home services.

When tutoring is necessary ALL situations are Out-of-the ordinary, and need the same accommodations.

Once again, tutoring and in-home are two different kettles of fish. There are plenty of kids who require tutoring but do not require an in-home accommodation.

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by: stebivule @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 03:26:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think the bigger issue is (0.00 / 0)

the lack of communication to the parents of the other SPED students. Fine if it was an abnormal situation, or that teacher was needed to cover so be it.
 But to not let the other parents know, and by lack of communication allowing those parents to beleive that their children were still receiving services as outlined in their IEP, services that they had been receiving previously, on the surface seems like trying to slip one by everyone and I believe is a violation of the IEP and SPED regulations.
 This would not be the 1st time, as it happened last year and I do know of the details of that - very similar approach (i.e. maybe the parents won't notice)

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by: flynniej15 @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 03:54:41 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Never Disagreed About That... (0.00 / 0)

The apparent lack of communication is troubling at best. I'm not ready to say that it was the product of malice, but it's troubling nonetheless.

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by: stebivule @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 04:30:53 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Free tutoring? (0.00 / 0)

I'm confused here. When my kid needed tutoring in Middle School we were given some names and paid a tutor for after school help at the library. Who gets free tutoring?

We couldn't even get a teacher to help him during the school day at all because he didn't qualify for a 504 or IEP. They told us face-to-face they couldn't help us because it wasn't mandated. It took an entire school year to go through the testing to find out if he could qualify! And then, we still didn't find out that he didn't qualify until August, after the school year ended.

Just my little rant on the system. And I didn't even mention how June Doe treated us. (She was the principal at the time.)

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by: recycle @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 00:01:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Knowledge (0.00 / 0)

Do you have knowledge that others are not privy too?

Nope.

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by: stebivule @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 03:27:39 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Someone Help!! (0.00 / 0)

Steby and Quincy
You guys are far smarter than me so maybe you can help me out with this.  I got a kid in town and I'm scared about all the things I read on here.  Even if only half of it is true, and noone really seems to be denyhing it, we have an underpaid teaching staff, a scary superintendent that plays politics with kids educations, a school commitee that seems corrupt, a set of principals that are being run out of town - what the heck is going on here?!?  Listen in my union when we have hack bosses we can vote them something like no faith or no confidence - i dont know the tecnical term but basically we say get out of here we dont respcet you.  Can teachers do that?  This stuff about a special ed teacher and a tutoring during the day instead of teaching their class really pisses me off.  this teacher is probably overworked and underpaid as it is and now has to juggle tutoring some dedhma bigwig instead of teaching the classes she's assigned??  Now i gotta worry bout my kids english teacher getting pulled out of class to go to someones house and then have my kid learn from some sub who is paid by the hour to put a movie on?  If i had any money i would sned my kid to private school but unfortunately w'ere stuck here and i need someone to help me.  you guys know much more than me - who is going to go and say something to people about this?? I'm too dumb to go to a meeting or see the superintendent - I would be way over my head but I wishsomeone would help me and people like me out here.    

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by: dedham76 @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 16:28:34 PM UTC

Where Should I Begin (0.00 / 0)

Even if only half of it is true, and noone really seems to be denyhing it, we have an underpaid teaching staff

Dedham's teacher salaries are extremely competitive compared to surrounding towns.

a scary superintendent that plays politics with kids educations,

"Scary" may not be the right word here. And frankly, I don't necessarily need a supt to be friendly or popular.  The allegation about her playing politics with kids education seems unfounded to me.

a school commitee that seems corrupt,

Regardless of my feelings for these folks as individuals or as a group, that type of characterization requires evidence and I would advise backing off.

a set of principals that are being run out of town

Wha?  Tim Ruggere wants to work someplace closer to his hometown of Andover.  Betty Cummings retired. Who is being run out of town?

- what the heck is going on here?!?

Probably not as much as you think.

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by: stebivule @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 16:43:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

...thanks (0.00 / 0)

thanks steby for making me look like an idiot.  i guess i shuld leave the blogging for your ivory tower types.  heck i don't know much about much but as near as i can tell your just pickin on the way i said things but not disagreing with the points. you know i dont have much faith in government and i dont know the difference between obama and the republicans - a guy like me just tries to put a hard days work in and get by but you would like to think you can have faith in your schools.  every teacher i meet at dedham seems real great - hard working and stuff but there seems like there is more going on than just that.  youre a smart guy steby can you explain whats giong on??  i want all the best for my kid and i do what i can but sometimes i wonder if thats enough.  

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by: dedham76 @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 22:05:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Not picking on you (0.00 / 0)

I'm just disappointed in your use of inflammatory language. Words like "corrupt" and "scary" should be used with care in everyday conversation as well as on a blog.  

I think that other people have provided valid advice here and I will reinforce it: if you think that your child is getting stiffed, advocate for them strongly. If you don't know how, or don't feel comfortable doing it, go to your PTO meetings and get involved with your school, you're sure to meet other parents who are experienced in dealing with the issues you're facing. There's strength in numbers.

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by: stebivule @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 03:39:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

oh come on! (0.00 / 0)

stebivule: i cannot believe you would call someone else out for imflammatory language: talk about your pot and kettle syndrome!

...to worship the god who laughs.

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by: suzanne @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 04:37:16 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oh Please (0.00 / 0)

I'm sorry you can't tell the difference between my criticisms and calling a public official "corrupt" in a public forum. The wild accusations levied at June Doe and the school committee here are shameful for their lack of evidence, relying on conjecture and heresay.

If somebody referred to you by name and assassinated your character in the way June and school committee have taken a beating here, you'd be plenty pissed. Do they deserve it? I don't know. Is there a reason to investigate what's happening? Sure! But is it justified to portray people as corrupt and betraying of the public trust without substantiation? You go ahead and answer that one.

A little different than calling some other faceless blogger "silly" or their argument "stupid," don't you think?  As Alan Dershowitz's character said in "Reversal of Fortune":

I think it's a little more complex than your simple moral superiority.

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by: stebivule @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 14:54:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

and the next move is . . . (0.00 / 0)

in my experience there are usually benign and/or understandable explanations for many things that in the heat of discovery appear to be horrible

but to get to that place somoen needs to respond  

it will be interesting to see how the School Committee and/or Superintendent respond to the flow of information on this site

there are a range of possible avenues they could take:

+  privately PM individuals and  ask to speak with them one on one or as a group to inform them about the situation

+  publically announce a meeting to address "recent questiopsn abou SPED" in Dedham

+  respond directly on this blog

+  do not respond at all unless someone complains publicly or in person

+ do nothing

When my child was being bullied and we got insufficient response from the principal we went to the Superintendent . . . we got satisfaction there, but wifely and I were ready to go to the SC every meeting to (first) ask for their help and (if we didn't get help) remind them every meeting that our situation was not resolved

at some point you have to go public with your complaints

if you do nor want to  show you identity you can get friends to help you present information anonymously at the SC meeting

at some point  you've got to go public to someone  

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by: kei-o-lei @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 20:19:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

in re: help (0.00 / 0)

Democracy is a Team sport that requires people to stand up in public and work for years to get changes

here's what you can do; pick and choose; do only one or more than one as you have time and desire:

1) write to the Superintendent and ask them what they are doing about these problems

2) get yourself elected to Town Meeting so you can start voting on what happens in Town

3) if you see someone running for office that you like - particularly a challenger - start helping him or her: stuff envelopes, hold signs on election day

4) if there are other people you know who feel the same way get together as a group and go to the SC meeting during their public comment time and tell them what you've said in your message above; ask for a meeting as group with the SC Chair or the Superintendent to go into youer issues in detail

5) go to any open houses at neighborhood aschoosl and ask your questions, preferably as a group your school

This is YOUR Town and YOUR schools and YOUR future. .  but no Town Mother or Father will take care of it for you . . you HAVE to get involved.

The bullying that my kid was getting at one elementary schools was not at the school we transfered him to . . . the difference was at the first school the only adult who handled those problems was the principal, and at the second school the teachers were all resposible for stepping in.

The moral: the world is a better place the more adults step in and get active.

Democracy takes time, it's slow but it's a hell of a lot of fun, and things do change when people get active. That  how the Science Labs were rehabbed at the Hihgh School.

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by: kei-o-lei @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 22:27:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Steby and Quincy (0.00 / 0)

I will help you, matter of fact, I will help every and any child struggling in the Dedham Public Schools.  Enough is enough!  Our children don't deserve the way they have been treated and we pay way too much in taxes to put up with it.  We all need to show up at the school committee meetings and let them know we are a community that will stand together!  Yes, this is the year for change ... let's change who makes the decisions in this town.  We need everyone to get out and vote to make this happen.  There are 5 people running for 3 seats on School Committee ... this is your chance to make a change ... but we need you to show up on election day and vote and think long and hard prior to filling in that dot!!!!!

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by: redskins @ Sat Feb 28, 2009 at 00:19:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Re: Dedham 76 (0.00 / 0)

Listen Dedham, don't let those people who are trying to dissect your comments bother you!  You raise some terrific points and someone needs to step up and investigate them - Brian... are you on this?  I know there are probably a lot of people like you who are concerned and with good reason.  I notice people arguing your semantics but noone seems to be refuting the actual substance of these claims - yours and others.  If like you say half of what has been said is true, then perhaps it is time for the teachers to stand together and say that enough is enough and our community no longer has any confidence in Ms. Doe's leadership.  All unions can easily take such a vote and maybe that is now warranted!  I don't have kids in the system anymore but its terribly sad to hear these stories and maybe its time that people like me start to get more involved again.  

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by: d781 @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 21:58:08 PM UTC

I'm on it (0.00 / 0)

I've requested a good deal of information from the School Department.  They are working on it and should be getting back to me shortly.  My relative silence here isn't because I don't think the issue is important, it's because I don't have anything substantive to offer yet.

myDedham.org - a community since 1636 and online since 2007!

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by: Brian @ Thu Feb 26, 2009 at 22:33:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I like this (0.00 / 0)

"Listen Dedham, don't let those people who are trying to dissect your comments bother you!  You raise some terrific points and someone needs to step up and investigate them "

In my opinion this comment deserves to be highlighted and emphasized.  

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by: DYNAYH @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 00:52:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

About the role of Unions (0.00 / 0)

I think that your post is great but would like to add info to consider regarding the role of Teachers/Union in change here.  I'm no expert on what unions can and cannot do but I don't think the union (I assume you mean teacher's) has any legal authority to vote on the competence of June Doe as Superindent.  The only vote/voice that counts is that of the taxpayers who pay her salary.  Taxpayers have to be proactive and let elected officals know that they are unhappy with the superintendent's performance before they renew her contract.  If they (School Committee) feel the heat they will respond if they want to be re-elected.  If they don't, they should be voted out.  I think the Union can only "do the best it can with what it's got", ie the School Committee that the community elects and the Superintendent that is hired.

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by: DYNAYH @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 01:23:14 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

No Confidence (0.00 / 0)

I did some consulting for the the NEA a while back and I'm almost positive that any local teacher's union can take a vote of "no confidence" against a superintendent.  While it isn't necessarily binding (meaning it won't boot her from the district) most often it is followed by a dramatic restructuring of leadership.  Usually it's a last resort and is often coupled with cases of intimidation and so forth.  From what I'm reading on this blog and the one a few weeks ago, perhaps it is warranted or if not, the teachers should make it clear that this behavior is unacceptable, inappropriate, and potentially illegal.  The question remains - are the teachers on board with what parents on this blog saying and if they are, are they willing to stand up to Ms. Doe and her duplicitous leadership.  

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by: d781 @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 14:22:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

For Dedham76 (0.00 / 0)

Dedham76...you bring up interesting points in your comments. I hope that the less than enthusiastic response to your questions do not make you feel as though your concerns are not valid. Everyone has a right to their opinions and to never stop asking questions.

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by: oakdale1607 @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 01:02:03 AM UTC

Re: Dedham 76 (0.00 / 0)

Dedham76
Thanks for your impassioned post.  I'm sorry that some of the response you've received has been less than collegial.  We have to remember that we're a community and when someone reaches out a hand we should respond in kind.  Feel free to email me at quincy.71@hotmail.com  In fact, anyone who is really upset or interested about these issues should feel free to email - I've already had a lot of parents and community members contacting me.  I've also had several members of the press - both local and Boston papers reaching out.  I've resisted responding to them so far, mainly in hopes of dealing with this as a community rather than to publicize our "dirty laundry".  The fact of the matter is that there are things going on in Dedham that are inappropriate and potentially illegal.  I think Stebivule's point about not focusing on the identity of the child is important (and I don't think I exposed anyone as he indicated), but if there was a conflict of interest involving the Superintendent and an Elected Official who negotiated and signed her new and lucrative contract then we need to get the details.  Dedham has a great school system, great teachers, and great kids - now we just need to make sure that all the dealings of the administration and committee oversight are above-board, legal, and morally sound.  Until we're sure of this fact, I'm not giving up and you shouldn't either!

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by: quincy71 @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 15:33:50 PM UTC

Thank You (0.00 / 0)

I think Stebivule's point about not focusing on the identity of the child is important (and I don't think I exposed anyone as he indicated)

I appreciate you saying that. When this all started, Brian noted that he did not find there to be a privacy issue because the student was characterized as a "child of an elected official,"  and there are hundreds of elected officials in Dedham. Since that time, people have conjectured that it is the child of a school committee member, which, if we accept that, narrows the field considerably and comes way too close (for my tastes) to "outing" the family in question.  

I hope that folks don't take the identification process any further. If there is something inappropriate or illegal going on (which I'm not convinced of, but I am all in favor of getting to the bottom of the situation), there are ways to investigate without dragging the child's identity into it.

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by: stebivule @ Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 15:48:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

A child's right to an education. (0.00 / 0)

I find the whole discussion relating to the above matter distasteful and one-sided. First and foremost, all children are entitled to by law a free public education. A child with special needs on an IEP (Individualized Education Plan for those of you who do not have a child with special needs who have been making one sided comments) is entitled to be educated in the least restrictive environment. If, for whatever reason, a child on an IEP cannot attend school than the child, by law, like all children who cannot attend school for whatever medical/behavioral reason, is entitled to receive an education.  The decision to educate this child ( which, by the way, was a total of 9 hours, one hour a day for 9 days )in the least restrictive environment is NOBODY'S BUSINESS except the parents and the schools. To attempt to publically "out" this family in order to "shame" administration is nothing short of disgraceful and borders on slander, in my opinion. If there is a parent out there whose child's IEP was violated by the adminstrations decision you should know, by law, the proper channels to go through. Maybe try attending a SEPAC meeting and you will meet some fantastic people who can give you some guidance. Please stop discussing your child's private issues on this blog.

Remember, there is a child involved who deserves to be educated no matter what. For those of you who do not have a child with special needs you have no idea of the daily struggle a family goes through. This, I hope, will end any further public discussion of a very private matter.  

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by: Nancy @ Mon Mar 09, 2009 at 06:46:36 AM UTC

All children, not just one child, have a right to an education (0.00 / 0)

ALL CHILDREN, by law, are entitled to be educated as dictated by their IEP's, even if they happen to be in a classroom that includes a student who cannot be educated in the classrooom for a 9 day period as you describe. If the school "pulls out" the appropriate resource to meet the needs of that one child, how can you ignore the fact that it (school) is neglecting to meet the IEP needs of the rest of the class (other students in the class also had legally binding IEPS)?  If the school met its legal responsibilty to the other children as well then that's great... did that happen?  If you want a public discussion to end, don't post to it!  

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by: DYNAYH @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 01:51:21 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

just a wee bit defensive? (0.00 / 0)

you did a good job of educating us about what IEPs say and what the schools are supposed to provide for that population . . and we all - well almost all of us - don't begrudge your points . . . and we don't need to go to a SEPAC meeting to understand that, because almost all of us already undestand and suppoprt SPED  

now, what about the issue that fired people's boots; that other kids didn't get THEIR education?

to say that this a private matter for one special needs student shows that you missed the point: it's a bad thing for the schools to take away education from some kids to educate others

so you might want to reconsider: is it a public policy question or just a private matter if the kids left in the classroom lost their teacher for that time?

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by: kei-o-lei @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 17:22:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]