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The public hearing is one part of the plan approved by the school board last month in response to the state Department of Education’s investigation into Darien’s special education program.
The state found that some of the district’s policy documents had information that was “inconsistent with the requirements of IDEA,” the federal law outlining special education programs. Specifically, the program had incorrect information regarding parental involvement with developing students education plans.
The state ordered Darien to revise its training materials to comply with state and federal codes, to submit any proposed changes to the state for review before implementation, and to re-train staff on proper procedures. The district has hired attorney Teresa DeFrancis to help guide it through this process.
“The [Department of Education] accepts this as an appropriate response to the findings and conclusions noted in this report and expects the district to move forward with this arrangement,” education department Chief Operating Officer Charlene Russell-Tucker said in her letter to Darien last month.
Thursday’s public hearing will discuss the hiring of an interim special education director, who will independently oversee Darien’s special education program for the upcoming school year. The school board wants to know what parents would like to see in terms of “characteristics, experience, and skills,” according to its website.
The school board will also discuss its plan and procedures for meeting with the parents of special education students before the start of the school year. The procedures could include private, informal meetings with staff members or more formal hearings before an independent panel.
“We welcome the state's continued oversight and we will be transparent with, and accountable to, our school community in seeing this process through,” Superintendent Stephen Falcone wrote in a letter to parents. “I pledge to this community that I will hold myself, our administrators and our staff to complying with the law.”
The public hearing will start at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at the auditorium in Darien Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Road. All members of the public are welcome to attend.
For residents who are unable to attend Thursday’s meeting, the board is also soliciting input online. Those interested can fill out a survey on the Darien Public Schools website or send their comments via email to boemail@darienps.org.
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