Westport Journal

A newly released Request for Proposals to critique the district’s special education program is not sitting well with parents who insist the selected consultant be independent and not hand-picked by district administrators who oversee the program. “We need the board to oversee the scope and choose the consultant,” said Vivian Hsu, one of a half dozen speakers who spoke at the start of the school board meeting on Thursday. “That is the only way to guarantee a truly independent evaluation.” The parents have collected more than 560 signatures on an online petition asking for the same. Earlier that day, on the very bottom of the district website’s bid page, a five-page solicitation was posted for firms willing to conduct a comprehensive, system-level review of the district’s special education programs and services.

At the meeting Thursday, Michelle Vitulich, a parent, said the RFQ, though detailed, does not address parent concerns. She asked that the document be amended and said the district can not rely on the state alone to provide meaningful oversight.

Note: COPAA member and Change Maker graduate Michelle Vitulich is quoted in this story.