Special Education at Country Meadow

[MamaBear]

As a parent of a special needs student who attends Country Meadow Elementary, I am livid at hearing that the DC board is planning to approve discontinuation of these services at next week's board meeting!! I am left to wonder how this fits their motto of "Best Practice"!?! Of course, it likely revolves around saving some money. I am all for saving money where we can, but NOT at the expense of our children!!

[blue adept]

As a parent of a special needs student who attends Country Meadow Elementary, I am livid at hearing that the DC board is planning to approve discontinuation of these services at next week's board meeting!! I am left to wonder how this fits their motto of "Best Practice"!?! Of course, it likely revolves around saving some money. I am all for saving money where we can, but NOT at the expense of our children!!

Where is country meadow, and why would they discontinue service?

[james_t]

Where is country meadow, and why would they discontinue service?

Country Meadow Elementary School is in Ashley. It is part of the DeKalb Central School District.

[blue adept]

Country Meadow Elementary School is in Ashley. It is part of the DeKalb Central School District.

So is enrollment down? Why would they consider discontinuation?

[mrs.bass46703]

i agree specail ed anywhere should not be stopped. Kids need this help. I have heard they will be cutting specail ed services in other school districts as well. I hope not. Like i said in another thread without those services my son will end up in the welfare system as will other kids if this service gets cut.

[pixiegirl]

So is enrollment down? Why would they consider discontinuation?

Country Meadows is a small school, maybe they do not have enough students to justify paying for a teacher and all that goes into teaching a student with special needs.
As the mother of such a student I do know that if LD services are not offered in the school district in which you live that school is responsible to bus your child freeof charge to a school that does offer the services that he/ she needs. with no tuition charges either.

[MamaBear]

It is my understanding that the numbers are the same as this past year. I'd like to know the caseloads of the teachers at the other schools who will now be responsible for these students. It seems like the resource teachers are already overloaded (in limited space) with students.

[Mr Douglas]

Country Meadows is a small school, maybe they do not have enough students to justify paying for a teacher and all that goes into teaching a student with special needs.
As the mother of such a student I do know that if LD services are not offered in the school district in which you live that school is responsible to bus your child freeof charge to a school that does offer the services that he/ she needs. with no tuition charges either.
Hopefully the kids who go there don't get transferred to a school that's ridiculously far away. I have a LD daughter (step daughter, but I've been her dad since she was 8 months old- she's 21 now), and when I lived in Orland, at one point she was being bussed to Wolf Lake. It was almost a two hour ride to and from school, and was miserable for her.

[jennyk]

I do not know anything about this situation, but I know that budgets have been extremely tight at all school districts, and my guess would be that they would be discontinuing special education there because of that. I understand that most special education in DeKalb Central district is located at JR Watson in Auburn, so my guess would be that the special education kids at Country Meadow would go to JR Watson instead. But, like I said, that's just my guess, and I really don't have any special knowledge of the situation.

[mlennon]

My little girl has a LD and goes to Country Meadows. And is in the program. My wife and I will be at the meeting. I would rather not have my girl transfered to another school.:( We will see.

[MamaBear]

yes, JR Watson has a large population of special education students, however, many of these students have significant disabilities/needs. these students are mostly in a self-contained classrooms where they receive their special services. students at country meadow go to the resource room for additional help and spend the majority of the day with their peers.

[teardrop4emr]

I hadn't heard about this until I read Sunday's paper. I have 2 boys who are in Special Education programs through DeKalb Central Schools. This has me worried about the future for them. Can somebody tell me when the meeting is, please? I'd really appreciate it. We would like to be there to see what this is all about. Thank you very much.

[MamaBear]

The DC Board Meeting is Tuesday, 3/17, at 7:30pm.

[blue adept]

I do not know anything about this situation, but I know that budgets have been extremely tight at all school districts, and my guess would be that they would be discontinuing special education there because of that. I understand that most special education in DeKalb Central district is located at JR Watson in Auburn, so my guess would be that the special education kids at Country Meadow would go to JR Watson instead. But, like I said, that's just my guess, and I really don't have any special knowledge of the situation.

I have a question, when I went to school at East Noble, our class was one of the largest they have ever had, but back then the superintendent did the job that now takes, what 5 people? Why is our school bureaucracy so top heavy? In addition, every one of these bureaucrats has their own secretary.

[Copycatted]

If I was joking about this I'd added an :)

Regarding that meeting (and of downsizing our Schools) should be put on hold until the Governor and our three State Legislative Officials could all make it. And special invitations should be sent to ANYONE who have posted concerns of this matter. That's only special invitations prior to this my post though:)

[MamaBear]

I just heard late this afternoon that the Country Meadow resource situation is NOT on tonight's board meeting! It will be discussed at the April one (I believe it will be on April 21st). That gives us another month to get all of our ducks in a row and make sure we are heard!!!

[MamaBear]

The DC Board Meeting is APRIL 14th at 7:30pm. Please be there to let them know we are, as parents, are against discontinuing Special Education services at Country Meadow Elementary!

[MamaBear]

Apparently the Country Meadow newsletter was wrong and the April Board Meeting is Tues., April 21st at 7:30pm (when we thought it was!)!

[teardrop4emr]

This is what I have been told. They are just deciding on the placement of the teachers related to these programs. Such as if they will need to hire or not, or if they will have teachers go to more than one school. Just thought I'd let those concerned know.