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Bedford School Officials Respond To Special-Ed Concerns

BEDFORD, N.Y. -- After hearing concerns from several parents of special-education students, Bedford Central officials gave responses at Wednesday's school board meeting.

Bedford Central school officials responded to concerns from special-education parents about the quality of services provided.

Bedford Central school officials responded to concerns from special-education parents about the quality of services provided.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie

Superintendent Jere Hochman addressed remarks from members of the district's Special Education Parent Teacher Organization (SEPTO), which were critical of the services being provided. 

Acknowledging their comments, which were made at the school board's Dec. 3 meeting, Hochman added that “we’ve had some very good meetings with the leadership of SEPTO.”

Drew Patrick, who is Bedford Central's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, will be doing a presentation to the group in January, according to Hochman. The presentation will focus on curriculum.

The superintendent also mentioned a discussion about programs that could be established during the spring.

Hochman also praised SEPTO's work.

“They’ve done an awful lot for our kids and for our adults with programs," he said.

At the meeting, it also was noted that school board member Edward Reder will attend a SEPTO meeting in January

Patrick discussed high school graduation rates for disabled students. In 2013, according to Patrick, 30 students with disabilities were part of the graduating cohort. Of those 30, 27 graduated while three were "completers." In the case of the latter, Patrick said these students receive IEP Diplomas. These types of students often stay with the district until they turn 21, he said.

Of the 27, 13 receive Regents diplomas while 14 received local diplomas, Patrick said. The threshold to graduate with a Regents diploma is to get at least a 65 on Regents exams, according to Patrick, while the minimum is 55 for a local diploma. 

Of the 30 students, Patrick said five planned to attend four-year colleges, 19 planned to attend two-year colleges, one intended to go into the military and the remainder planned to seek employment.

Data for 2014 was unavailable because they remain under an embargo from the state, Patrick said.

Officials also addressed an allegation made by Mount Kisco resident and special-education parent Bradley Condit that alleges the district is under a federal investigation. Condit stated his allegation at the board's Dec. 3 meeting.

School Board President Susan Wollin, crediting Reder with having previously raised the question, noted the lack of building sign-in records that would confirm investigators coming into the schools.

Wollin also brought up a second inquiry from the district's legal counsel, which turned up no evidence of an investigation.

“There is no federal investigation of our schools,” she added.

Hochman also addressed the use of technology for special-education students, specifically iPads. He noted several special programs have between one to four iPads available, and that occupational, speech and language therapists have them for instructional services. Regarding requests for students to use their own devices for class, Hochman said there is a special education process required to allow it. The process includes a team of people making an assessment, along with an evaluation, according to Hochman.

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