HOUSTON – A Klein ISD parent files a complaint with the Texas Education Agency regarding perceived slights by the district against his stepson, with special needs, and other students in the adult program.
Richard Welch’s complaint outlines a change by the district moving students from Klein Oak High School to portables/modules behind the school.
KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun asked Welch why he felt his stepson, Conner, and other students were being discriminated against.
“Well because they’re all by themselves,” Welch said. “Last year they were inside the school building with the general education population. They had access to the library, to the lunchroom, cold air conditioning. And this year they have excluded them from the general education population and put them in a trailer park in.”
Brandy Clark’s son, Avery, is also a part of the same program.
“They’re kind of leaving the most vulnerable population to fend for themselves and we’re just looking for answers,” said Clark.
Their children are a part of the district’s ‘Bridge Center’ program. The district describes the program having several learning labs for adult learners 18 to 22-years-old, “[it] equips our students with employment and life skills through the use of learning labs. These simulated learning, living, and working environments provide an opportunity for students to advance their independence, enhance their communication abilities, and nurture vocational/life skills.”
This is the first time Klein ISD offers the program in this way. Previously, adult learners were at various high schools.
Welch strongly considering pulling his son out of the ‘Bridge Center’ all together.
“Yes, he is not happy,” Welch said of Conner’s experience.
“I can understand it because it’s change, you know, and change is hard,” said Kirsten Allman, Executive Director of Special Programs at Klein ISD to Balogun when he asked about Welch’s experience and concerns. “And our students have been part of the high school culture. So, so, so the shift to that adult learner culture, I can definitely empathize.
Allman shared with Balogun her own personal reason for why she leads the program.
“My work is very personal to me. And so, as someone that has a younger brother with significant disabilities, this would be some place that I would send my own child, you know, and that I wish my brother had had, he had had access to,” Allman said holding back tears.
Allman describes the program as serving three pillars: employment skills, life skills, academics skills.
“We have it set up for labs that focus on the students’ skills that’s in their post-secondary, goals. They all have post-secondary goals. And so, we tailor the labs to meet those goals,” she said.
During a one-on-one tour, Allman showed Balogun four of the nine learning labs. The labs include bistro, apartment, boutique, production, print shop, logistics, custodial, academic, and interview prep.
These are programs Clark said she appreciates the district for implementing but wishes the district received parent input.
“Looking at the main components of the program and what they’re trying to do, there are some good benefits there, but I think there’s a big safety issue,” Clark said. “What I would like to see happen possibly is maybe, a different facility, renovate a different building or build a building.”
“They’re not practicing inclusion. They’re doing exclusion. They’ve cut these kids off all the general education things from the ‘normal’ kids,” Welch said.
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Welch and other parents share that their students have complained about the temperature inside the portable buildings.
“It’s a terrible thing for these kids,” Welch said.
In an interview with Allman, Balogun brought the concerns he heard from Clark and Welch to her. The transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
ON ‘BRIDGE CENTER’ PROGRAM
Balogun: What was the thought process behind using the modulars differently this year than last year? Why move [adult learners] from the building to back here?
Allman: So, it was to provide our adult learners with the most authentic environment. And in a community with their other adult learner peers. So, they have the opportunity to build that community, in an environment that that helps them work on their post-secondary goals.
Balogun: And it made more sense to have them in one centralized location?
Allman: Yes. And we had the modular. So, we were able to retrofit them on the inside, which hopefully you’ll agree they look fantastic. Allowed us to be able to do that.
ON SAFETY CONCERNS
Balogun: A big thing I’ve seen parents ask online, is about an interview the principal gave a few days ago about classroom safety. He said, students were moved out of the modules into the school because of the bond dollars.
Allman: Sure, sure. And so that might have been the case, before we were purposeful in creating it as the bridge center, because since that time, and I know we didn’t look at them specifically, but you’ll notice that we have the security gates. And where you came in the front, we have that same, safety and security measures that we do for our main campuses, including that front gate, you know, where parents scan in, and then a second gate behind that.
ON CONCERNS ABOUT LIMITED BATHROONS
Balogun: Talk to me a little bit about another concern I’ve heard, lack of bathrooms. Just two?
Allman: So there are not just two bathrooms. So, in one of the modulars, we were able to design very purposeful restrooms for our students individually. So? So they are both oversize restrooms, and one of them has a Hoyer lift. So those are for students that and that utilize that support that have to be changed. As well as another restroom again that that’s oversize, that can accommodate our students in wheelchairs and have other specialized needs and gives them that quick access. But we also have very quick access, to restrooms down this hall, and down the first hallway when you walk into the building. And those restrooms are accessible, and also, handicap accessible for our students.
ON T.E.A COMPLAINT
Balogun: There was a complaint a parent made [to the T.E.A] They said that they as if Klein ISD is relegating them to the back of Klein Oak. What do you say about that, criticism?
Allman: I would say that that’s not the case. In fact, we pride ourselves on being innovative and meeting our students’ individual needs. And as you saw throughout the facility, all of the different labs that are just not accessible in a main building. And in the main building, those serve students in grades nine through 12. So I think I shared with you earlier, these are not high school students. They’re adult learners, 18 to 22. And so this provides them the opportunity to build a community, with other adults with disabilities their age. And a lot of these, labs also promote and give them access to community events, and activities in the community. So, it’s that natural environment that they’ll be in after they turn 22.
Allman shared she understands concerns parents have but wants them to trust her team.
“I would encourage them to send their students to the bridge center and take advantage of the opportunities, that many students didn’t have before them,” Allman said.
Brandy Clark said she and other parents, speaking out, are advocating for their kids.
“Being loud, being an advocate. That’s the one thing as special needs parents, that’s our job. Our main focus. When somebody is not doing right by our kids. we’re going to be loud,” said Clark.