A bit of a vent- unexpected expense. Update

[ZoeBell]

So you can assure everyone else that each and every child gets a safe school?

One would think every school district has the responsibility to keep kids safe while they are under their care. I would say that's from the minute they get on the bus until the minute they are back with their parents. As a parent I'm entrusting the school to care for my kids while they are under their charge. If they aren't they are negligent.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

OP, just wanted to say, keep your chin up. Don't let one person, and I do mean one person on this thread bug you. Those of us with special needs kids do understand the daily vigilance with appropriate education/placement, battles with insurance, the need to have a thick skin when dealing with those who have no idea what it's like day in and out to have a special needs child.

I just planned our family's vacation the other day, and wished I could get autism to take a one week holiday each year. Very off topic, I know. You know so very well, that special needs are 24/7/365.

Anyway, you're right, you know you're right, and I'm very heartened by the show of support on this thread. I get the feeling that several posters don't even have special needs kids, yet they know at any moment, anyone could, including themselves. A big shout out to the overall empathy!!

I say keep your head up too and I really hope
this gets resolved. I do not have special needs kids but I have no problem with any child receiving what they need to make life even a little easier. It is a tough world.

The poster who is obsessed with pestering you about every little detail seems to have a agenda that has nothing to do with your actual situation so perhaps not responding to them at all would be best.....

 

[pigletto]

I say keep your head up too and I really hope
this gets resolved. I do not have special needs kids but I have no problem with any child receiving what they need to make life even a little easier. It is a tough world.

The poster who is obsessed with pestering you about every little detail seems to have a agenda that has nothing to do with your actual situation so perhaps not responding to them at all would be best.....

I couldn't agree more. I do not have special needs children, but have worked with many, and have nothing but support and empathy to give. It is both sad and unfortunate that you and parents like you have to fight so hard for the very basic things that I can take for granted. You have my support.

 

[jerseygirl81]

I work as a teachers aide and have a son who is autistic. I have seen this from both sides. My son rode on a van to a school out of district with another student from our town. The other student had a lot of behavior issues and my son was afraid of him. The boy used to try to hit him everyday on the van they had him in a harness yet he would try to kick him. Finally the school district agreed to putting him on his own van with an aide and my son went on a separate vehicle. The district did not want the extra expense of another vehicle driving to the same school 1 hr away but my son getting injured could have become a bigger cost to them if something wasn't done after the boy had been written up for many different behavior problems such as breaking a window. I also know a couple of people who the district pd to drive their own children to school due to behavior issues and 1 who drove her daughter to school who used a wheelchair I didn't read all the posts so I don't know if that's an option. The squeeky wheel gets the oil! Linda

 

[djmeredith]

The poster who is obsessed with pestering you about every little detail seems to have a agenda that has nothing to do with your actual situation so perhaps not responding to them at all would be best.....

Exactly! Some comments/questions do not even deserve to be acknowledged because they are just trying goad people into an argument.

Hang in there Op. I have the utmost respect for you because you have armed yourself with knowledge so that you can be an advocate for your child.

 

[kirstenb1]

I keep forgetting what does what your district in California have to do with the OP's district in Illinois?

Word up!

 

[daughtersrus]

I wanted to give everyone an update. Yesterday I spoke again with a district administrator. I wad told that the parents are refusing to pay. I don't have a problem with that since I feel it happened because DD's 1:1 was not properly doing her job. We discussed at length the continued disregard for DD's safety plan as written in the IEP.

Not to bore you with the details, the admin finally said that they will discuss it with others above them.

I decided today to send a long email summarizing our concerns and documenting our previous conversations. I sent it to the admin that I have been speaking with as well as the "higher ups" including the superintendent and school board president.

I received a reply saying that the video shows the 1:1 was not watching our DD like she was instructed to so they are now willing to pay since the parents won't. They will get back to me today to let me know when the check will be cut. I won't believe it until we get it.

The email also documented our concerns for DD's safety and their refusal to place her on a more appropriate bus.

Thanks again to everyone that understands what it's like to have a special needs child and to have to fight for them on a daily basis!

 

[robinb]

Yesterday I spoke again with a district administrator. I was told that the parents are refusing to pay. I don't have a problem with that since I feel it happened because DD's 1:1 was not properly doing her job. We discussed at length the continued disregard for DD's safety plan as written in the IEP.

Of course, the para was more at fault because she failed to protect your DD from the other child's violent assault but IMO refusing to pay anything is just not cool. I understand how stressful it might be to be the parent of a violent special needs child, but your DD's glasses were broken through his actions.

ETA: I'm glad the school district says they'll pay!

 

[Mrs.Malone]

It's good that the school district agreed to pay. More importantly, hopefully, they'll realize the lengths they need to go to to ensure your DD safety.

I find it very sad that the other child's parents wouldn't pay for the glasses. Yes, the incident happened on the school's watch, but as a parent, paying for damages caused by my child--disabled or not--would simply be the RIGHT thing to do.

 

[mrsklamc]

Maybe the parents aren't able to pay?

 

[daughtersrus]

Maybe the parents aren't able to pay?

That very well could be the case.

I also have no idea what is in that child's IEP. There may be a behavior plan that wasn't followed either.

 

[Styx Fan]

That very well could be the case.

I also have no idea what is in that child's IEP. There may be a behavior plan that wasn't followed either.

This was exactly what I was thinking. If the other child has a 1:1, that person may have failed to do their job by letting their student damage the glasses. The other parents probably think the people in charge of their child should control him/her. I feel for those parents also. They have a rough road also.

 

[Gracie09]

I'm happy you are getting reimbursed. I hope the district realizes this situation is not going away and takes appropriate action to protect your dd.

 

[kirstenb1]

I'm glad you're getting reimbursed. Sounds like you have an excellent grasp of how to communicate your concerns with them. No doubt through hard-won experience!

 

[nyrebecca]

I am glad you are getting reimbursed. I am also glad you were able to get your concerns documented regarding the bus situation. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[bookgirl]

That very well could be the case.

I also have no idea what is in that child's IEP. There may be a behavior plan that wasn't followed either.

I'm sure the other parents said something to the effect that the district is supposed to have a 1:1 aide walking with their child (as well as your daughter's own 1:1) to prevent just that sort of thing and put the responsibility right back on the district employees. Since the district could not get either set of parents to pay up they are now "willing" to pay. I understand they thought they needed to try, just sorry that you had to wait for a resolution.

 

[RitaE]

I'm really glad that worked out for you at least on the money side. I know you are still stressed about the situation and your daughter's safety. Unfortunately, it is probably never going to be stress free for you but I admire the way you seem to always hang in there and try your best to handle it. Best Wishes.

 

[djmeredith]

Glad to hear the money issue has been resolved. I hope the safety concerns are also addressed properly by the school district.