The California Department of Education (CDE) has initiated a formal investigation of the Temecula Valley Unified School District. The investigation has come to light just months after the CDE issued a notice of non-compliance with corrective actions against TVUSD related to their suspension and attempted expulsion of our son.
On Thursday night, January 16, 2014, the CDE conducted a parent/guardian input meeting at the TVUSD administrative office. In attendance were approximately 100 parents and/or guardians of special education students, and several personnel provided by the CDE. No TVUSD administrators were in attendance.
A brochure, paper questionnaires and electronic devices for answering questions were provided to the audience. The brochures included the following:
CDE will investigate your district using these methods:
* Parent/Guardian Input Meeting
* Interviews with parents and district staff
* Visits to school sites
* Review of policies and procedures
* Review of program implementation
* Review of student records
CDE will prepare a Corrective Action Plan based on findings of non-compliance found during this review.
Here are some personal thoughts and observations.
Having the perspective of working in a government regulated industry for 15 years for companies that are subject to FDA regulatory oversight, it appears that the process being followed by the CDE is strikingly similar to an FDA audit. FDA audits are very serious matters, and the FDA can choose any corrective actions they feel appropriate. In the most egregious cases, criminal prosecution can be recommended.
The CDE's parent/guardian input meeting included several extraordinary exchanges. Out of respect to the privacy of those in attendance, and to the investigatory process, specific details will not be posted at this time, except to say that some highly disturbing accounts were shared, and emotions and tears flowed freely in a highly intense atmosphere.
Here is how you can help
We recently filed a lawsuit against the Temecula Valley Unified School District, Director of Child Welfare and Attendance Michael Hubbard and Director of Special Education Kimberly Velez. We believe that by making our son’s story public, and by holding the school district accountable through highly visible legal action, we have the opportunity to make what happened in Temecula so well known that when school districts are approached by law enforcement, offering to bring undercover drug stings to their campuses, school administrators will think twice.
Our legal expenses in this effort are significant, so your donation to the Snodgrass Legal Fund will be appreciated.
Also, sign the petition to permanently end undercover drug stings in schools.
Make this story public, share it in every corner
An abuser relies on the secrecy of their behavior for empowerment. Once their abusive behavior is exposed, their ability to continue abusing is threatened.
Remember what the adults who were involved in this forgot...these are children.