It may have been only 15 parents and citizens who showed up last week, but the information and ideas flowed freely. Individuals who arrived with their individual concerns, left with new acquaintances and a sense of who are board members are, what they care about.
Congratulations to this "new" board for encouraging the public to help prioritize some opportunities and actions that will make our schools even better.
This is what Policy Governance requires - "linking" with the "owners of the system."
What a difference in mood and tone from the adversarial settings that have been standard fare for parents in the past.
And stay tuned for details of discussion items moving to the center of a public conversation. Better yet, share your own concerns here for comment. But next time you read of a 9-R Board open forum, make arrangements to attend; it will be worth your while and we will all benefit.
Example: A homeschooling parent whose son will enter DHS this fall raised a concern about dropping enrollment in arts and theater classes that may be inadvertently be caused by new graduation requirements. The groups urged further exploration of graduation requirements and a commitment to flexibility - and a commitment to individualized plans for all students. This is a community that thinks out of the box and wants every child to have an appropriate educational path.
Progress!
Read story in Herald about May 15, 2007 forum.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Supreme Court levels legal playing field for parents
Justices Rule on Education Lawsuits
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: May 21, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Parents need not hire a lawyer to sue public school districts over their children's special education needs, the Supreme Court ruled Monday.
The decision came in the case of an autistic boy from
Federal law gives every child the right to a free appropriate public education, which in the case of special needs children sometimes means enrollment in a private facility.
But most federal courts had concluded that parents who are not lawyers and who want to challenge decisions have to hire an attorney to represent them.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the court, said parents have legal rights under the Individuals With Disabilities in Education Act, the main federal special education law.
''They are, as a result, entitled to prosecute IDEA claims on their own behalf,'' Kennedy said.
The court sided with Jeff and Sandee Winkelman and their son, Jacob, in their fight against the
The Winkelmans can't afford a lawyer or the cost of private schooling for Jacob. Neither parent is a lawyer.
The parents objected to the
The Winkelmans have spent about $30,000 in legal fees since first contesting Jacob's treatment in 2003. Jeff Winkelman has taken a second job while his wife has researched previous court rulings and written her own filings.
Sandee Winkelman said she might press the case on behalf of her 9-year-old son with one of several attorneys who have offered to represent the family for free. If that doesn't work out, she said, the family would proceed without an attorney.
''I would prefer to give Jacob the best chance with an attorney. That's the best-case scenario,'' she said after the ruling was announced. ''I'm very pleased. It restored a lot of faith I have in the system.''
It is unclear how many parents forgo lawsuits because they can't afford them, although advocates for disabled children said in court papers that most parents of disabled children lack the means to hire a lawyer.
Parents unhappy with a district's plan can appeal the decision through an administrative process. If they remain dissatisfied, they can file a civil lawsuit on their child's behalf, federal courts have said. At that point, however, most courts have said the parents must hire a lawyer.
Whether Jacob should have private schooling at public expense was not before the Supreme Court, only his parents' right to go into federal court without a lawyer.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled in the school district's favor. Monday's ruling overturned that decision.
The case number is Winkelman v.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
What's on the big list so far?
The 9-R Board has compiled a list of concerns which can be accessed here. We hope others are added. Here are a few that we have heard and believe must be addressed if real change is to occur.
Communication with the public
If Policy Governance continues, commit to using the whole model. Continue to build in opportunities for unfiltered information exchange between you and the public.
District culture Make sure that teachers, parents, students and community members are being treated respectfully. Connect the dots. Look carefully at all the new school choices popping up in our community. Are things as rosy as 9-R's press releases suggest? We repeat: find ways to listen to parents, students, teachers and community.
Dyslexia and other special education programs
What is behind the attitude from top administration that has produced so much angst? The exciting fields of brain research have revolutionized approaches to learning disabilities. Have 9-R teachers been offered the professional development to keep current? Why so much denial? How has 9-R responded to concerned parents?
Denial and defensive posture of Administration
Is "never having to say you're sorry" the most helpful strategy for dealing with public and staff? Track legal expenses for patterns behind lawsuits against 9-R.
9-R's $35 million budget -big picture thinking?
Make public participation in 9-R budget matters a priority. This community is deeply interested in choices made for academic programs. There are many models for including public in prioritizing expenditures.
Communication with the public
If Policy Governance continues, commit to using the whole model. Continue to build in opportunities for unfiltered information exchange between you and the public.
District culture Make sure that teachers, parents, students and community members are being treated respectfully. Connect the dots. Look carefully at all the new school choices popping up in our community. Are things as rosy as 9-R's press releases suggest? We repeat: find ways to listen to parents, students, teachers and community.
Dyslexia and other special education programs
What is behind the attitude from top administration that has produced so much angst? The exciting fields of brain research have revolutionized approaches to learning disabilities. Have 9-R teachers been offered the professional development to keep current? Why so much denial? How has 9-R responded to concerned parents?
9-R and dyslexia: Parents’ concerns deserve public discussion
9-R Touts ability to help dyslexic
Mother requests waiver for foreign language
Liberty School to open in September: private school to tackle dyslexia
Denial and defensive posture of Administration
Is "never having to say you're sorry" the most helpful strategy for dealing with public and staff? Track legal expenses for patterns behind lawsuits against 9-R.
9-R's $35 million budget -big picture thinking?
Make public participation in 9-R budget matters a priority. This community is deeply interested in choices made for academic programs. There are many models for including public in prioritizing expenditures.
Opening lines of communication
Congratulations to the 9-R School Board for making good on its promise for change!
Recent plans for quarterly public forums move the board a step in the right direction.
Board members are inviting the community to show up Tuesday at 5 p.m. to look over a large list of concerns they plan to address this coming year. Their list is based on what was said at an "open forum" in March, along with the now infamous "DHS Survey" comments. Before they begin to prioritize the list for next fall, they want to make sure it is as complete as possible. This is your chance. If you can't come, send an email or a friend to speak in your place.
If you come: Think about what you want to happen for our children. Bring positive ideas along with concerns. Tuesday's format is for small group settings, so you need not fear a microphone or stage fright. Plus: you will have the ear of at least one board member and a chance to connect with others interested enough to come out for our public school system.
Tuesday's forum is similar to models that citizens and individual board members have asked for since 2003. We hope it is successful. With little advance notice the turnout may be light, but today's Durango Herald editorial should help with recruiting.
Recent plans for quarterly public forums move the board a step in the right direction.
Board members are inviting the community to show up Tuesday at 5 p.m. to look over a large list of concerns they plan to address this coming year. Their list is based on what was said at an "open forum" in March, along with the now infamous "DHS Survey" comments. Before they begin to prioritize the list for next fall, they want to make sure it is as complete as possible. This is your chance. If you can't come, send an email or a friend to speak in your place.
If you come: Think about what you want to happen for our children. Bring positive ideas along with concerns. Tuesday's format is for small group settings, so you need not fear a microphone or stage fright. Plus: you will have the ear of at least one board member and a chance to connect with others interested enough to come out for our public school system.
Tuesday's forum is similar to models that citizens and individual board members have asked for since 2003. We hope it is successful. With little advance notice the turnout may be light, but today's Durango Herald editorial should help with recruiting.
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