Here is what I wrote to our legislators: Feel free to copy and make some changes to fit yours: Dear Legislators: As a deaf resident of Arizona, a registered voter, a parent of three deaf children who are also Phoenix Day School for the Deaf students and Vice-President of Phoenix Day School for the Deaf Parents and Staff Organization (PDSD PSO), I implore you to vote OPPOSE to this SB1393. Ive met with Rep. Coleman before House Education Committee to discuss this issue. All he did was to hear both sides of this issue. Then I showed up at House Education Committee and I spoke before the committee. I urged them to oppose SB1393. The result was 4-3 in favor. Two representatives mentioned that they voted in favor just to keep this open, in hope that we can work this out before it reaches to the floor. Two weeks ago, ASDB (Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind) Board had a meeting and President of ASDB Board, Mr. Williams, did not put down SB1393 on agenda to discuss anything. So since then, we havent been able to have a discussion to work this out. ASDB Board did not vote on this issue at all. Only Mr. Williams was acting on this without the backing of ASDB Board, Deaf Community and Blind Community. So again, I urge you to OPPOSE S.B. 1393 for the reasons listed below. · The organized blind and deaf communities object to SB 1393. · It is the responsibility of the Board to perform the legislative function, which is the policy making function of ASDB. In the case of S.B. 1393, the Board President, without the knowledge and consent of the entire board took on the legislative function on his own. As stated in its policy manual, the Board, not the Board President, retains the full legislative authority. · Youth with sensory disabilities, including deaf, blind, multiple-disabled and sensory impaired, need specialized education and interventions in order to access the mainstream educational environments, but also to acquire social skills and independent living skills. The superintendent is charged with developing and implementing the strategies necessary to ensure youth with sensory disabilities receive the specialized education and interventions they need. This task is impossible to attain if the superintendent lacks the requisite experience in specialized education. · The superintendent is responsible for taking direction from the board and applying it in a specialized educational environment. Again, without the requisite experience in specialized education for individuals with sensory disabilities it will be impossible for the superintendent to complete this task. · There was no involvement from the key stake holders. No input was sought from the organized consumer blind or deaf community, or school districts, or parents in the genesis of S.B. 1393. The deaf and blind themselves oppose the passage of this bill. · While The Arizona Schools for the Deaf and Blind is a state agency reporting to the governor, it is first and foremost a specialized school with a statutory obligation to educate sensory impaired children anywhere in Arizona. SB1393 essentially gives the board of trustees the ability to choose unqualified persons who lack the necessary credentials, background and experience the responsibility for educating students with sensory disabilities. Treating ASDB as another “agency” rather than a specialized school means that our children can and will be harmed. · A superintendent in a school for students with sensory disabilities must be involved in educational decisions for the school and its students. This is more than just taking care of busses, cafeteria, landscaping and building maintenance, etc. A superintendent must care for all students, whether deaf, blind, multi – disabled, not just the one physical characteristic of vision or hearing loss. A qualified superintendent with the education and experience in specialized education must take preference over those with simple business management backgrounds. · The State has a statutory/legislative responsibility to effectively run a school for students with sensory disabilities. S.B. 1393 treats the schools as if it was just another state agency and ignores the specialized education and experience needed to effectively run a school for students with sensory disabilities. · SB 1393, fails to mention anything about the leadership for Regional programs that serve almost 2 out of 3 students with sensory disabilities in the state. • SB 1393 projects that there may be separate administrative operations such as: business, finance, transportation, and others that maintain the business of running specialized schools. This is surely going to increase administrative costs without adding educational value to our students. Legislators, I feel S.B.1393 is legislation that will have harmful result for students with sensory disabilities, and we ask that you not support it. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to working with you on this, and other issues, affecting Arizona’s deaf students and citizens. Sincerely, Michelle Shelley Herbold
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 00:16:16 +0000
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