Special With many parents turning out to voice dissatisfaction and problems with the educational system to the Henry Hudson Board of Education Wednesday, only one parent stood up to say she was pleased with the education in the preK_12 district in recent years.
And those who wanted to voice concerns over specific teachers or programs were shut down, advised they had to follow a chain of command and told the board could not respond to their concerns.
The parent of one child attempted to read a two-page statement citing several concerns she had with Dr. Denise Lombardi, the Director of Special Education, noting her concerns the administrator “appears to be in a continued pattern of unethical, irresponsible and potentially unlawful conduct. “
Board of Education president Richard Colangelo immediately interrupted the speaker while she was attempting to present her concerns during the public portion of the meeting, telling her the board could not discuss personnel.
As she attempted to continue to read, the board attorney, who did not identify herself but is apparently from the office of school board attorney Johathon Busch, who was not present, again interrupted the speaker during the public portion and told her if she has concerns with the system she had other avenues to pursue.
Undaunted, the strong mother continued to speak for her concerns about her child’s education, told the board she was speaking with “urgency and deep concern” and expressed her belief, from her personal experience that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, consistent with individualized education programs.
“Unfortunately, under Dr. Lombardi’s leadership, this fundamental right has been compromised,” she told the board She went on to read her statement that said, “parents have documented multiple instances where IEPS were not implemented as written, including the unauthorized removal of essential services and supports critical to student progress.”
She told the board that paraprofessionals “often the cornerstone of stability and success for many students” have been removed or reassigned without proper parental notification or justification.”
Her son is autistic, the parent continued to explain, but she could not send him to school at the beginning of the year because of his Para support being removed “without my knowledge. These abrupt decisions not only disrupt continuity or care but also contradict best practices and legal obligations.”
The parent made it clear that while she has deep concerns for her own son’s education, she was also speaking for other parents who are just as concerned. “We, the families of this district, are not asking for special treatment,” she told the board….We just want lawful, ethical and compassionate leadership, she said, “leadership that prioritizes the educational rights and well-being of all students. Our children deserve no less.”
Prepared not only to express the concerns herself and other parents of students who receive special education, the parent also requested the board to take specific actions, including launching an independent investigation into violations she was reporting.
She also asked that the board require full compliance with all provisions of IDEA, restore any services and supports that have been improperly removed immediately, ensure SEPAG meetings are properly scheduled, announced and held in accordance with state law .
She also asked that the board reevaluate the leadership for the Special Education department in light of the “serious and ongoing concerns” she was reporting.
In spite of being shut down and interrupted more than once during her presentation, the parent thanked board members for their attention and commitment to students and families. But, she added, “We are counting on you to act.”
The ‘approved chain of command’ was explained to the parent, though it was not clear how it got to the board other than through presentation at a public meeting when the complaints focused on administration, described as the top of the chain of command for most complaints or concerns.
The parent distributed a copy of her statement to each of the board members, as they left the meeting for an executive session scheduled after which they did not plan to take any action. Whether the letter and the parent’s concerns were also discussed during that session is not known.
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