Letter to the Editor

Hats off to Kristy M. Neubo for helping to expose special education

deficiencies and funding questions in the Newport-Mesa Unified School

District (“Community commentary: School district needs to spend money

wisely,” Nov. 14). This is hardly a new revelation though. For years,

districts have been reneging on their promises to provide mandated

services as prescribed by law.

Even with increases in school funding, special education

administrators and their bosses here and elsewhere in the country

continue to thwart attempts by parents to get services for their kids,

which are guaranteed them by law.

Many times, these same parents must hire expensive attorneys that

specialize in these matters to force districts into compliance.

Call Newport-Mesa and ask them how many fair hearings they have lost

over the years for not providing the least restrictive environment for

special education youngsters. Find out how many of our tax dollars

they’ve had to cough up after the arbitrator ruled for the parents.

And, shame on boards of trustees for looking the other way while their

administrators throw roadblock after roadblock in front of special

education parents with legitimate grievances.

KENT S. MOORE

Corona del Mar