Parents of Special-Needs Students Say Schools are Falling Short
Several complain to the Santa Barbara school board about a shortage of legally mandated special-ed aides.
Every year is a tough year for parents of children with special needs, but some parents in the Santa Barbara School District say this year is especially difficult.
In each of the past two Santa Barbara school board meetings, a handful of parents of students with special needs have come before the board to complain about what they say is a shortage of legally mandated special-education aides.
One is Cory Bream, a local optometrist who two weeks ago told the board about an incident last month at Washington Elementary, in which her 8-year-old son with autism had a seizure in the classroom.
Despite a legally binding agreement between Bream and the school district mandating that her son would be accompanied by a special-education aide at all times, there was no aide that day, she said.
The absence of the aide, she said, has been a common reality this year — much, she said, to the detriment of his educational progress. Bream, who has retained an attorney for the matter, said her son has regressed this year, resuming his formerly conquered habits of bed-wetting and “self-mutilating,” such as banging his head against hard objects.
District officials say this year’s troubles are largely because of how, for some reason, turnover among the aides — which is high under normal circumstances — was even higher than usual after last school year.
“It’s not a really highly paid job, and it’s a tough job,” said Robin Sawaske, the district’s associate superintendent of education.
The hourly wage for special-education aides in Santa Barbara ranges from $14.05 to $17.28 an hour, according to the district’s personnel office. Aides work six-hour days for nine months out of the year, so the average annual salary for an aide is about $16,500.
Bream said her research indicates that Santa Barbara’s special-education aides are the lowest paid in the area, a contention Sawaske said she doesn’t doubt.
Sawaske said the district has been scrambling this year to hire all of the necessary aides and is getting close to filling all the positions. She said she is at a loss as to why the problem seems especially pronounced this year, chalking it up to a “perfect storm.”
One thing that has changed this year is the person in charge of the department. Special-education director Anissa McNeil is the department’s fifth leader in about as many years. But Sawaske said McNeil’s newness has nothing to do with the nature of the current problem, and credited McNeil for initiating some of the first special-education training sessions in years.
“She identified (training) immediately as something our assistants and teachers needed,” Sawaske said.
The meeting during which Bream spoke was on Oct. 14. That night, four other parents shared similar stories with the board.
After that meeting, Sawaske ordered her staff to redouble its efforts to make all of the necessary hires ASAP. Apparently that didn’t happen in every case.
Two weeks later — on Tuesday — four more parents of children with special needs came to the board meeting, mostly from the K-8 Open Alternative School.
One of them was Nadia Holsten, whose daughter has a developmental disability that severely comprises her vision, and requires her to walk on crutches.
Holsten said she has long been satisfied with the district’s special-education program, but not this year. “The rug has been pulled out from under my daughter,” she said.
On two occasions this year, she said, her daughter’s classroom aide has been yanked without warning.
“She does not have a full-time aide at this point, which means she misses math classes, and she sits during phys ed — which we had a whole program worked out for her — and she watches children play basketball,” she said. “So there’s a problem.”
Jeanne White, another parent from Open Alternative, said her autistic son, too, has experienced much of the year with no aide.
“What I thought was sort of a family drama unfolding in my house with my special-needs son who’s in fourth grade is part of a trend, a disturbing trend,” she said.
Mike Conroy, also a parent at Open Alternative, said his son’s aide was inexplicably pulled on Sept. 9, and hadn’t been replaced.
“I’m trying to find out if there’s anyone responsible here,” he said. “Who can I speak to to ensure the district carries out its job?”
Superintendent Brian Sarvis informed Conroy that Sawaske would call him the next day. She did, and told him that a substitute teacher would be found to fill in until a permanent aide is hired.
Noozhawk staff writer Rob Kuznia can be reached at .
» wrote on 10/31/08 @ 07:01 AM
No suprise this has happened with the new Special-education director. No one can work with this woman
» wrote on 10/31/08 @ 07:22 AM
Perhaps measure H money should be going to fullfill the districts binding IEP’s with these students.
Once again we see a district with high turn over in staffing, eratic and poor leadership, and broken promises.
When will this district decide it is important to put education first? New administrators, gang laisons, flood lighting buildings and yet no money to pay sufficient money to attract and keep aides.
The public is tired of Dr. Sarvis’ poor excuses and empty promises.
» wrote on 10/31/08 @ 07:31 AM
Another “perfect storm” is the cause for human suffering. This storm:
Sarvis is Superintendent: (never responsible--always appears to be detached)
New Assistant Superintendent (still over her head--Why didn’t someone tell me what to do? )
Personnel Director Robertson---(Can’t do a timely recruitment except for friends. Unfilled positions equal savings.)
Finance Director --person in charge--Smith: ("Save money!"--8 vacant special ed aide positions at under $100 per day equals his per diem)
New Spec Ed Director: Please the bosses--act first, think later! Break up existing teams. New random assignments creates excitement!
Special Ed students and parents: “Just our luck to still be here in 2008!”
Special Ed Aide # 1: “Sorry, I took another job--needed to be employed.”
Special Ed Aide # 2: “Sorry, I didn’t ask to be transferred.”
Special Ed Aide # 3: “I was trained for the assignment I had-- but not this one.”
School Board Voices: “Sure glad my term is ending.” “Why do we hear this during “public comment?” “Can we eliminate public comment about students?” “When do we get to say or do something?” “Who is in charge?”
» wrote on 10/31/08 @ 07:44 AM
You’d think the district would figure out that it’s going to cost less to hire and keep good aids than to settle, never mind litigate, one case were they are sued because they’ve failed their basic obligations. Not to mention the money spent on aids would actually help the students who need it while a court case or settlement would just flush cash down the drain. When will this district start looking out for its students and stop looking at them as costs and liabilities?
» wrote on 10/31/08 @ 08:25 AM
Who is Ms McNiel? Does she really work for the disrict? Seems like she hides behind Robin and Dr. Sarvis to save her “blank”. Where did they find her and why has she not had a meeting with us parents who would like an answer to why we don’t have aides? It seems like an easy fix apposed to getting sued and having to cost the district more money, money that could be spent to hire aides for our children. It’s a shame they pay this McNeil” mucho bucks” to get nothing in return. What kind of a person denies children with needs no support?
» wrote on 10/31/08 @ 12:34 PM
What’s going on.? this can’t be it on comments.
» wrote on 10/31/08 @ 12:44 PM
I vote we putt our mony toward teeching Richard how to spel before he blows off in print about things he doznt understand.
» wrote on 10/31/08 @ 02:46 PM
It is obvious to me that the Distict is circling their wagons for damage control. Since Ms. McNeil has been hired morale has dropped and dissension risen throughout the Spec Ed dep’t but particularly on the front line, those of us involved directly with student services. Ms. Mcneil, maybe she’s acting as somebody’s henchman, but it is obvious that neither the Superintendent, Asst Superintendant, nor Ms. McNeil anticipated the extent of parental and professional backlash. Ms McNeil has handled her position in an extremely autocratic manner, bordering on intimidation with punitive consequences. You would think that prior to making the sweeping changes the district made in regards to spec ed they would have actually consulted with the spec ed teachers, assistants and parents at the various sites to see what the needs really were.
» wrote on 10/31/08 @ 02:59 PM
Put education first? That really begs the question. The plain facts in our society are that the top 10% of the earners in our population pay over 75% of the taxes. How does that get back to special education? Simple, God bless these kids, but they are never going to pay their way. Never. Treat them with courtesy, respect and fairness. And it’s unfair to the other kids to lavish resources on the special education community to the detriment of other children - as uneconomic as it is immoral. And our tax rates are too high, so don’t damn well propose raising taxes. California is in the top 10 highest taxed states as it is. Maybe we need something radical - put the tax paid teachers out of work, and privatize the whole enchilada?! The wages, benefits and retirement plans that these public employees get are way out of line with the private sector. Let parents pay for their own children’s educations. And if you don’t have kids, you don’t pay for other people’s kids’ education. That is fair. Change the laws to get RID of the requirements which force districts to spend more on some children than on others.
» wrote on 10/31/08 @ 05:31 PM
The district doesn’t like to spend $$ on staff. It’s a budget philosophy to keep salaries low and turnover high.
» wrote on 11/01/08 @ 11:40 AM
I can’t believe there is any surprise here, Government can’t do anything without over-spending. Not the sharpest tools in the box.Time for real cuts like you and I must make.
» wrote on 11/02/08 @ 07:09 AM
According to Kris Robertson, PhD. reporting to Brian Sarvis, PhD., at the end of October, 2008, the team of Dr. Robertson, Director McNeil and others are still on the job reviewing documentation to determine how many special education instructional assistants are needed. Also, they have recently interviewed seven and hired five and see a need to hire eleven (11) more. How many will be on the job on November 3 is unclear. The report says five have been “processed” and assigned. Likely, the report understates this management caused crises.
One-quarter of the school year is over and the students’ clocks cannot be turned back. Stated another way and as a reminder to Dr. Robertson and Dr. Sarvis, the school year started for students and teachers just before your Labor Day Holiday; not after the trick or treat party in Isla Vista. (Give that reminder to your Public Relations expert to spin.)
Several years ago this same management hired special education staff outside the budget. That was a budget crises. Then, management reported a multi-million dollar deficit which was later reported to be a multi-million dollar surplus. These mistakes became the “justification” to increase salary and benefits to “attract” and “keep” the self-proclaimed “highly qualified” top management.
Now, another critical system collapse at the expense of the students and parents and teachers.
It is time for the Board to call an emergency meeting.
» wrote on 11/02/08 @ 03:48 PM
Anissa McNeil claimed repeatedly that the district had enough aides and it is proven by the fact that the District was not hiring aides until the last few weeks! They are playing a game. “We have enough aides” now that so many people are speaking out “They needs aides”.
Can you read between the lines - I can too!
» wrote on 11/08/08 @ 01:27 PM
mainly in response to RKV… you are an absolutely heartless, inconsiderate, possibly childless, non working individual. I usually do not approve of or participate in name calling, but I must say that anyone who wants to take funding of any sort away from ANY child needs to work. I mean really work. Come into my position for 1 week, or 1 day even! It is not glamorous, high paying, or easy, but it is with out a doubt one of the most rewarding jobs/careers one will ever have!
As for the new director of SpEd; she is not as informed as anyone would like. Again anyone who claims students/schools have enought aides; come do my job for 1 day! See how you like cleaning up a teenagers poop, or wiping drool off a child’s face b/c they are unable! It is heart breaking at times and parents are thankful that WE are there to help their students succeed.
So before you tell parents to pay for their children’s own way, live the life of that parent with a special needs child. Watch your child stare into space not getting it when you say I Love You; they do not respond and yoiu wonder what you did to allow this to happen. Are you being punished? No. But when ignorant people do not even express empathy you are punished. When people stare, you are punished. So before you judge what you do not know or understand, in the slightest, RKV, think that it really could happen to you or someone you love.
» wrote on 11/09/08 @ 11:34 AM
McNeil was clearly brought in to intimidate and to slash services. She makes a mockery of the supposed teamwork that is supposed to characterize our school district. The upper administration is well aware of the tactics used by this new hire--who has neither the qualifications nor the demeanor to successfully run the special education department. The problems began before she even came on full time, and have only gotten worse since more members of the community have had the “opportunity” to encounter her.
» wrote on 11/19/08 @ 08:03 PM
RKV you are an idiot.
» wrote on 11/21/08 @ 06:22 PM
Rumor and sources claim that McNeil has resigned.
Now who will Dr. Robertson and the others blame for their continuous mistakes in hiring and management?
Another year of students suffering from failed top management enjoying their increased pay and benefits.
» wrote on 11/23/08 @ 10:59 AM
Anissa McNeil resigned Friday, 11/21/08, from her position as Director of Special Education. She is the “tip of the iceberg”!
The community calls on the Board of Education to exercise it fudiciary responsibility. The community demands accountability! The Superintendent has failed to exercise the duties of his position and has promoted unethical, illegal and immoral treatment of our children.
Superintendent Brian Sarvis must immediately resign for his professional incompetence, his lack of responsiveness to his community, his willful violation of state and federal special education laws resulting in physical and psychological injuries to our children, his imtimidation of staff and parents, and his illegal and coersive efforts to try to get staff to lie and violate children’s special education rights and the law.
WE DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OF BRIAN SARVIS FROM HIS POSITION AS SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS!!
NO MORE CORRUPTION!! NO MORE INJURIES TO OUR CHILDREN AND STAFF!!
» wrote on 11/23/08 @ 06:18 PM
The School Board agenda for Tuesday night (Nov 25) has a late night recommendation from the out-going president of the Board for a one year extension of the contract of the Superintendent. This will likely be the last meeting of this Board because of the election of two new Board Members. Why should and why would the outgoing Harter and Malakoff want to saddle the new Board with another year on the contract of this Superintendent? What are they getting? This Supt, along with his incompetent Personnel Director has promoted and selected several failed financial and special ed directors, self-serviing assistant superintendents,and has otherwise alienated parents, teaches and student via flawed personnel management techniques. Clearly, Public Relations has controlled the policies and practices---with students a low priority. Help.
» wrote on 11/24/08 @ 10:45 AM
OMG! McNeil is gone? Yet the disruption and devastation she inflicted on this community remains. And those who exhibited their incompetence by hiring this completely unqualified and tone-deaf person are still in their highly paid positions. It is time for some serious housecleaning in this school district.
» wrote on 11/24/08 @ 04:02 PM
It was interesting to hear Ms. McNeill’s summation of all she has done for this district at the board meeting that was to be her last hurrah. While her efforts to create a forum for training and unifying staff was a step in the right direction, her complete lack of personal skills, her refusal to get input from teachers (whom she referred to as the district’s ‘experts’ upon her arrival), her way of answering relevant questions and concerns by repeating her tired catch phrases and jargon and her lack of actual ‘collaboration’ despite using the term more than Sara Palin said ‘maverick’ is an insult to the entire community. I would be relieved to see her go if not for the fact that some of the damages suffered by her reign for staff and students will take an immense amount of time and effort to undo. Telling teachers to provide Specialized Academic Instruction and then failing to address/comment on any of the barriers that have been hindering this “new” aim in the first place is a token, not a solution. Solving understaffing problems by carelessly shuffling Instructional Assistants without input from anyone ‘in the know’ and angering and displacing staff working in an already underpaid, under appreciated position is absurd and defies the very idea of meeting students’ “Individual” needs. Failing to return phone calls and e-mails regarding concerns, changing her story to accommodate her purpose at the time, intimidating personnel, and using her knowledge of law to manipulate others are all concerns I have heard voiced by the ‘experts’ who continue to work for the district with little to no ACTUAL or PRACTICAL support from Special Education’s upper-level management (unless, of course, a lawyer is already involved). They also speak to a lack of integrity in a line of work that is supposed to be about collaborating to serve children and young adults. I appreciate that her position was a very difficult one and I realize that she walked into a multitude of problems that she was responsible for fixing, but my hope is that the next person to step up to the bat will do so with more humility and respect for the hard work this community has been doing prior to their arrival, someone with integrity and a drive to USE best practice instead of just the WORDS ‘best practice,’ and perhaps someone with some real, lengthy experience as a Special Education teacher who understands the enormity of the task and the passion most teachers feel for giving their students what they need and deserve.
» wrote on 11/24/08 @ 09:57 PM
Well Put Farewell. It could only help if the next person who takes on the position of Director has extended experience inside the classroom AND a school community.