Letters to the Editor for the week of Dec. 15

Mansfield parents

want honest dialogue
To the editor:
   As a parent involved in the Mansfield Township Parents Group advocating Special Education I felt it necessary to respond to the most recent article in the Register-News.
   There are some specific points made in this article that I feel compelled to respond to:
   There seems to be a focus on the issue of four speech therapists leaving the district. I would like to clarify this – it is not merely that issue.
   * Four speech therapists, one occupational therapist, one physical therapist, one social worker have left the district within the last nine months (not years, but months). This is almost the entire related services department and integral members of the IEP team.
   * Phone interviews with school officials said that the meeting (held on Nov. 29), did not leave them with a "clear sense of what problem exists …"
   * I believe it should be clear from our meeting on Nov. 29 that since parents gave written responses to the district regarding our concerns that we should be able to move forward toward resolution of said issues.
   * I believe parents have been forthcoming regarding concerns since these concerns were recorded beginning in July 2005 board minutes and every board meeting since that time.
   * As stated in the article: "The therapists left for four separate personal reasons that has nothing to do with the school district." This remark has not been proven to the parents of this district to be true or false and has not been addressed in any fashion, so unless there is information provided by which to weigh this statement, the validity of the statement is still at question. Unless these individuals address the board to affirm or refute this statement, there is not enough information to affirm this is a statement of fact as opposed to opinion.
   * "As far as special education services … Each child’s IEP is being followed." Once again this is a statement made by an individual without recourse by others to refute this. The validity of this statement has no merit unless evidence is examined to prove affirmative or negative. It is simply not a statement of fact until facts have had an opportunity to be examined.
   * "Translators have been provided if the parents speak a foreign language." To clarify —this is a mandate required by the individuals with disabilities education act. This is not a privilege, this is a requirement.
   * All input from involved individuals needs to be carefully considered, balanced, weighed and measured, and truth sought. If in fact there are no problems in Mansfield Township’s special education program there should be no hesitation in listening and fact finding. I am sure that with honest dialogue facts versus fiction will emerge. We should never be fearful of seeking the truth.
   Cate Kurowsky
Mansfield