Open letter to Amy Huntley superintendent Ocean Beach School District:

I am writing to inform you that I am appalled by the treatment my children and family received while attending Ocean Beach School District. It was so awful that we had no choice but to leave our family home and move our children to another school district so they could finally receive the education they deserve.

To write about all of the awful instances my family endured would take years and far more energy than it is worth at this point but here are a few notables that I’d like to bring back to your attention. The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) found the school district in violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) because the district failed to follow proper procedures. We were publicly humiliated, threatened and disabilities were mocked in front of various community members during a community-engagement meeting. When my children couldn’t comply because of their disabilities and the lack of support they are entitled to, you filed truancy against us in Pacific County Superior Court on the same day I had welcomed you into our home as part of the special education evaluation that OSPI ordered the district to complete as corrective action for the violation. You later withdrew the truancy request from the court when you were informed of my legal representation.

My child, whose disability warranted him one-to-one para-educator support, was unsupervised and able to leave the school alone and was found at Jack’s alone during an elopement episode.

My child was diagnosed with PTSD shortly after an unjustly isolation and restraint incident that took place by a teacher and principal. This trauma was documented as “traumatized at school/bullying” in his special education documents. I agreed it was bullying — bullying by the adults who hold a valued position and that members of our small community are supposed to trust with our children.

My family did not receive respect or a proper public education until we retained legal representation, which cost our family a total of $24,060. Before retaining this expensive representation I enlisted help from available state and local resources who advocated for my children along side me to no avail: WA PAVE, CSN, multiple therapists and doctors, Pacific County SMART team referrals, Willapa BH Wrap around with intensive services (WISE) team, and the WA Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to be specific. Nothing changed until I got legal representation and the district was afraid of being sued.

I am grateful that my money could help other disabled children on the peninsula, it is truly a blessing that your staff was able to learn and put in place the systems that were created.

JENAE MCDONALD

and CAMERON THOMPSON

Peninsula