Deerfield District 109 special education parents form support group

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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:24AM

Deerfield School District 109 parents who have become increasingly unhappy about the special education program will meet Wednesday to form their own support group.

They will gather at 7:30 p.m. in the back room of Trax Tavern & Grill, 833 Deerfield Road.

The group will discuss special education and how to participate in individualized education program meetings with school staff, parent Lisa Polisner said. The group is also for parents to talk about how to prepare for the meetings, learn their rights before a meeting is called and to support each other through the process, which has not been easy for some, she added.

“The purpose is not to speak about specific issues or teachers. The purpose is not to bash specific administrators,” Polisner said. “And this is not just for parents of students with a disability. What is happening in the schools affects all children.”

Parents in the district have become increasingly vocal about special education delivery after teachers in the district named it one of their top issues during contact negotiations. Talks continue, with a Feb. 8 session scheduled.

The parents are also collecting stories about issues and concerns parents have had with the IEP process in the past, said Katie Bittner, another parent.

“We would like to photocopy all of the stories and hand them to the board on Feb. 13,” she said.

Parents are welcome to bring their children if they cannot be accommodated elsewhere during the meeting.