NO BENEFIT
There is no benefit to students. Leaving buildings in disrepair or not making schools handicap accessible may
save money, however the district was provided with funding to make schools accessible to special education
students. Moreover, many of the students had a school already, which no one was complaining about, and the
expense of remodeling for handicap accessibility was not necessary. The cost of converting four or more other
schools might mitigate the cost of any (unproven) need for repairs the Emergency Manager claimed were found
at Oakman that he used as a pretext to close the school.
ADVERSE IMPACT
Resources concentrated to create an appropriate learning environment for special needs such as language and
accommodations for disabilities were dispersed in such a manner that all students IEPs were not followed.
When a son of one of the complainants cried on camera, (which was viewed all around the community) about
how he was being bullied at the new school, and how much he hoped Oakman would re-open, the impact was
clear. Seeing him on camera struggle to open a door, while using his walker, and made it clear that he lost by
being relocated. Oakman was organized so that all students IEP’s could be followed. Now the students of all
educational needs are packed together in classrooms around the district, organized for the convenience of the
administration, not for the best interests of the children. Special education teachers are frustrated because they
know this is unethical, however many are forced into silence by Snyder’s administration.
Creating a hostile environment for the special education community in its totality has been injurious.
DISPARATE TREATMENT
The Emergency Manager is aware students are disabled. These actions harmed disabled students, many who
are black and English Language Learners. The Emergency Manager made specific retaliatory statements
towards the disabled community and the Governor and Emergency Managers have refused to correct the
resources being provided to vulnerable children.
ALTERNATIVES
The alternative is to provide the disabled and English Language Learners the accommodations they need.
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