Parent urges Neshaminy School District to expand special-education programs; district offers follow-up
February 27, 2024 | Neshaminy SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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A Maple Point parent urged the Neshaminy School District Board of School Directors on Monday to expand specialized special-education programming to the district’s other middle schools, saying his stepdaughter is failing courses and "begging the school board" for more in-school support.
David DeBilis, who identified himself as a resident of Woodland Crossing, told the board he had been advised the district offers a smaller-class special-education program at Maple Point Middle School but that the same services are not available at the other two middle schools. "I am begging the school board... find somewhere around $2,000,000 to bring on more teachers, and put these programs that you have here at Maple Point into the smaller and older schools in the district so our kids can have a better shot," he said during the public-comment period.
Why it matters: DeBilis said his stepdaughter, who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), is failing two courses and is being prevented from participating in athletics because she cannot meet grade requirements. He framed the issue as both an academic and equity concern, asking the board to reallocate resources or add teachers so students with disabilities can access extracurriculars and succeed academically.
The superintendent offered to help. Superintendent Bowen asked DeBilis to give his contact information to Dr. Kane in the back of the room from the people-services department so staff could review the student’s IEP and follow up. Bowen also challenged one of the commenter’s budget figures, stating, "factually we bring in about $200,000,000 in revenue," and said staff would look into the situation.
Board members acknowledged the difficulty families can face navigating IEPs. Board member Cirillo said he would assist and urged parents to contact administration and board members when IEPs are not being followed. Another board member, who identified herself as a Bucks County IU board member, encouraged parents to use available intermediary resources and provided her board email for contact.
What was claimed and what followed: DeBilis cited several numbers in his plea — an estimated $2,000,000 to hire 33 special-education teachers to replicate Maple Point’s program and an asserted $13,000,000 spent on an athletic field upgrade—labels he used to question district spending priorities. Those figures were presented as the commenter’s calculations; the superintendent offered a staff follow-up rather than an immediate financial commitment.
Next steps: Superintendent Bowen asked DeBilis to provide contact details to Dr. Kane so staff can review the child’s IEP and follow up directly with the family. The board did not take formal action at the meeting to reallocate funds or create new programs during the session.
David DeBilis, who identified himself as a resident of Woodland Crossing, told the board he had been advised the district offers a smaller-class special-education program at Maple Point Middle School but that the same services are not available at the other two middle schools. "I am begging the school board... find somewhere around $2,000,000 to bring on more teachers, and put these programs that you have here at Maple Point into the smaller and older schools in the district so our kids can have a better shot," he said during the public-comment period.
Why it matters: DeBilis said his stepdaughter, who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), is failing two courses and is being prevented from participating in athletics because she cannot meet grade requirements. He framed the issue as both an academic and equity concern, asking the board to reallocate resources or add teachers so students with disabilities can access extracurriculars and succeed academically.
The superintendent offered to help. Superintendent Bowen asked DeBilis to give his contact information to Dr. Kane in the back of the room from the people-services department so staff could review the student’s IEP and follow up. Bowen also challenged one of the commenter’s budget figures, stating, "factually we bring in about $200,000,000 in revenue," and said staff would look into the situation.
Board members acknowledged the difficulty families can face navigating IEPs. Board member Cirillo said he would assist and urged parents to contact administration and board members when IEPs are not being followed. Another board member, who identified herself as a Bucks County IU board member, encouraged parents to use available intermediary resources and provided her board email for contact.
What was claimed and what followed: DeBilis cited several numbers in his plea — an estimated $2,000,000 to hire 33 special-education teachers to replicate Maple Point’s program and an asserted $13,000,000 spent on an athletic field upgrade—labels he used to question district spending priorities. Those figures were presented as the commenter’s calculations; the superintendent offered a staff follow-up rather than an immediate financial commitment.
Next steps: Superintendent Bowen asked DeBilis to provide contact details to Dr. Kane so staff can review the child’s IEP and follow up directly with the family. The board did not take formal action at the meeting to reallocate funds or create new programs during the session.
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