BUDGET HEARING, MALCOLM X: '...we as advocates for AYLP are appalled and distraught by the proposed CPS budget cuts that will affect Special Education and students with disabilities...' Disability rights advocate challenges Board to stop cuts in special ed...
Those representing the "Board of Education" at the Malcolm X College budget hearing on August 18, 2015, included Markay Winston (far left) and Jesse Ruiz (far right). Winston is the "Chief Officer for the Office of Diverse Learners Support Systems" (commonly known as OODLSS, a neologism unique to Chicago -- every other school district in the United States calls that stuff "special education"). Ruiz is again the Vice President of the Chicago Board of Education after serving as "Interim CEO" following the abrupt resignation of Barbara Bryd Bennett in June during the ongoing federal investigation into Byrd Bennett's alleged corruption in awarding the no-bid $20.5 million SUPES contract. Substance photo by Jean Schwab.The budget hearing at Malcolm X College on August 18, 2015 was sparsely attended, but the audience was" appalled and distraught" over cuts of money, transportation services and staff in Special Education. The hearing was the only one that had a Board of Education member listening. Also there was Markay Winston, who is currently the "Chief Officer" for the Office of Diverse Learners Support Systems (OODLSS), the name CPS has given to what every other school district calls "special education."
These help a great deal. With Jean's lead and photograph, we have decent coverage.
Nathan Ryan from Grassroots Collaborative, brought up the bank deals, the Dyett hunger strike and other protests. Roalndo Vasquez told the hearing that Illinois needed progressive income taxes, Review crisis
Jackson Potter, member services coordinator of the Chicago Teachers Union, brought up banks $1.2 billion dollars. He noted, again, that CPS being in an "abusive relationship" with the banks.
A graduate student from Roosvelt, stated that when he was in school they had no new books, the books they had were damaged and outrdated. He also said he was upset about teachers losing their jobs.
A parent from the "Women Commitee United", stated that Roosevelt High School needed teachers, not further cuts. (She spoke in Spainsh with an interpreter).
A parent brought her handicapped daughter with her, and said that she was from Jackie Vaugh Occupational High School, a special education school where five teachers and 23 or 24 PSRPs had lost their positions under the new Proposed Budget.
It was also stated that the teachers will have no assistance in the class and "if a student has to go, the whole class will have to go." She noted that in many cases the students need teacher aides, but the teacher will have to take the whole class like in grammer school.
The Board people did not provide the hearing with the names of those who spoke, and most spoke quickly so it was difficult to get their full names. A teacher whose first name was Gaberal brought up charter schools, how they were getting increases -- demanding to know what was going with them.
A teacher named Georgia, got up and introduced herseolf as a special ed teacher. She discussed the cuts in special ed in detail, noting that special ed students had individual needs. She noted that 50,000 IEP's had to be handled by someone. She noted that the Board was making huge cuts not only at Jackie Vaughn, but at Christopher, Montifore,
and Beard schools. "Students are suppose to have a free public education," she stated, citing the law and noting how the CPS cuts would result in violations.
One of the most powerful presentations at Malcolm X was given by Jaime Cornejo. This testimonial was given by Jaime Cornejo follows here:
My name is Jaime Cornejo. I'm a Peer Mentor for the group Advance Youth Leadership Power, also known as AYLP. Quite frankly, we as advocates for AYLP are appalled and distraught by the proposed CPS budget cuts that will affect Special Education and students with disabilities. Without adequate supports, students with disabilities cannot achieve their goals, further their education, or have fair access to housing and job opportunities.
The 625 staff positions that will likely be cut in Special Education shows that there is a lack of investment in us. We need these support systems and services to develop and support our equal growth into society and not miss out on future opportunities.
Too often, students with disabilities are treated like we are a nuisance to the system! When it comes to accommodations and accessibility, we are an after-thought. When it comes time for cuts, we are early on the list. but equal education is our civil right. Invest in us, don't divest.
What will happen to talented, intelligent students whose dreams get snatched away? How can some students with disabilities become well employed if the reading levels of many are lower today? We are not a nuisance. What ever happened to the rights of students with disabilities?
These cuts will have drastic consequences on our young people's lives. I happen to be an ADVOCATE AGAINST THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE. Don't continue to put us in boxes we don't belong like jail We have 50,000 students with disabilities in CPS schools, and all of them should matter! In the beginning of the school year,special education should be well staffed and over prepared. We want equitable access to public education!
By: Theresa D. Daniels
Disastrous cuts for special education
Thanks, Jean, for your coverage of this vitally important issue. What's being done to special education--and to the public schools, in general--should be exposed, and it's heroes like you who do it.