District 93. moves to improve special ed, parents express concern

Bonneville School District 93 presented a plan on Wednesday to improve special education.

For parents of special needs kids in the district, the changes are only a start.

For mom Amanda Van Orden, fighting for special education improvements is a necessity.

“For my son, his biggest downfall is speech,” said Van Orden. “That’s what he struggles with the most.”

Van Orden’s 12-year-old son Max is autistic. He can’t learn the way most other kids learn. Van Orden and some other parents believe there are serious gaps to be filled in District 93’s special education programs.

“I did a little write up of what changes we’re looking at in special ed this year,” said the district’s special education director Susan Searle.

In a board meeting on Wednesday, Searle proposes 2 special ed coordinators. She proposed one coordinator for elementary, and another for secondary schools.

“We’re expecting them to visit each classroom every week,” she said.

Searle is proposing the purchase of targeted curriculum and said the kids need more technology.

“We’re looking at purchasing iPads for the kids and starting them on that,” said Searle.

Van Orden said the changes are only a start. She said she has to stay positive.

But a reminder of the negatives are always in the shadows.

“I have a letter from a concerned parent,” said Searle.

She said there is concern from parents about speech and language therapy in the district. The parent who wrote the letter said their child isn’t receiving services the district must provide in an Individualized Education Plan, or IEP.

“They wanted me to be sure the board is aware of the neglect, and be presented with a plan to gain full IEP compliance,” said Searle.

For a mom like Van Orden, that student might as well be her Max.

“It definitely sounds the alarm that maybe we need to look more into it and be more aware of the services our children are being provided,” she said.

Searle said part of the issue in IEP compliance comes in a lack of funds to pay therapists a professional salary. The district is only able to pay those specialists at a teacher’s salary.

Because of that, there are less therapists, which can mean a heavier workload for less pay.