Parents tell board special‑education services removed and ask for transparency; death‑threat report raises safety concerns

Several parents used the public‑comment period at the April 9 board meeting to press the San Ysidro School District for clearer communication and accountability on special‑education services, staff qualifications and school safety.

"My son has autism; they removed that service since October and they lied to me," parent Ida Morales told the board, describing repeated meetings with school psychologists and district special‑education staff that she said failed to restore her child’s services.

Another commenter, identified by the board as Allison Moody, described a social‑media post in which a board colleague’s image was covered with a sticker and said the action, combined with what she called a lack of response to written complaints, showed troubling leadership and double standards. "When concerns were formally raised, we were told it was a First Amendment right... The district simply chooses not to respond," she said.

Roxanne Palastino told the board a second‑grade student received a death threat and criticized what she described as a slow response and poor communication. "How does the child return to school feeling safer after that?" Palastino asked, urging cameras and better access to translation so Spanish‑speaking families can follow meetings remotely.

Several speakers — including board members during discussion of a separate staffing item — urged that if the district must assign teachers under emergency permits or as interns, families should be notified in writing. A member of the board asked staff to bring forward a policy or agenda item to require written parent notification of non‑fully‑credentialed classroom assignments and to ensure adequate supervision and oversight.

District staff noted they are reviewing contracts and staffing plans and acknowledged community concern. The board did not take immediate policy action at the meeting but several members supported placing a transparency policy on a future agenda.