Saint Paul School District does not give my child choice

[karadinart]

Saint Paul School System doesn't give my child choice. I requested a transfer three weeks in, the school he wanted to go to (where his sister attends) had room in their special needs program, and I was willing to transport him, so we were told there would not be a problem transferring, over a month later the transfer gets stopped because someone at Placement Center says 'you have to go near where you live' and that's all they would say.

Let me add that the decision had been made weeks before, but no one thought to contact me or my son's school to say it wouldn't happen, and this is endemic throughout the SPPS system, no one wants to talk to a parent. (or gives a crap about them)

Oh, there was the addendum that 'we have spaces available at the school you want to attend but we are 'saving' them in case anyone moves into the immediate area. WTH? And when I asked about a waiting list, or transfer next year, they just smugly said 'you have to go near where you live' end of story. When I contacted Special Ed at the district level the staffer that called me back said 'oh if teacher/principal told you there was room they don't know anything.'

I've tried pursuing this, contacting advocates, the district, legal aid, the mayor's office, but no one follows up on my messages. Even the district ombudsman who is supposed to deal with parent's issues. You know that I had to tell my son's school teacher that he wouldn't be transferred so no one got back to them either? I had to put a hold on his doctor visits and therapy for this transfer that didn't happen, and he's not back on schedule yet.

Comments

[shezan.livejournal.com]

At this stage, I think you should go to your local paper, and get them to publish a story.

[tripleransom.livejournal.com]

Bummer. Unsurprising, but - bummer.

[karadin.livejournal.com]

if they had ever given me reasoning of their choice, quotas are something, but it was the whole smugness of the thing, pretty much this is the way we say it is, so there, etc.

[koshien.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry this crap is still going on with no resolution. I'm still waiting myself to find out if the school I want is available.

The whole saving places thing is bullshit (as you obviously know) it's just a feeble excuse to pass the buck - which is all that seems to be happening until you (which they hope) you give in with the whole "closest school" policy. There either is choice or there isn't. If there wasn't a choice then why were you led so far down this path in the first place?

Screwing around with health appt schedules is just pissy too. Just not right, the whole thing.

I wish I could do more for you than just ask questions and encourage. Our systems are different here, but I can feel the frustration of knowing how important a good schedule, smooth transition and best appropriate care for your kid is.

Take care x

[karadin.livejournal.com]

thanks I appreciate it. Our school system was wonderful for special needs kids up until last year, instead of having two centers, they decided all kids need to go to schools where they live, to save money, so each school now has a room for the special needs kids (no matter their disability or level of achievement) they don't have the specialists they used to have AND the teacher at my nearest school is brand new, with no experience, she can't control the kids (all boys hitting puberty) and gives them stickers and toys as 'rewards' for good behavior, a technique that hasn't been used with my son since kindergarten.