[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6390736,"mediaKeyId","2112052-d015222b3437dbdbecae3ccc0f587a34","parentId",2112052,"title","Southbridge School Committee announces two resignations, outlines DESE‑plan progress and governance steps","audioSeconds",380,"startMs",385000,"endMs",765000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2112052-d015222b3437dbdbecae3ccc0f587a34&start=385&end=765","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2112052-d015222b3437dbdbecae3ccc0f587a34/thumbnail_385000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6390736/Massachusetts/Southbridge-School-Committee-announces-two-resignations-outlines-DESEplan-progress-and-governance-steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6390736-5517203388dc2f7c7a34ab2619513b2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177086&Signature=k~IneIXvdeJ4qI~S7Dxl2u8CXWFr6TyrGBieuZ4QNKbr7XmbeocA2XOzMNo3VzX8qg-Hz34Ex41F7B95fdzVukDtRVYyy3ySi~K9aj4fo2KTVcwfqpg9jA75DKXLx8Bj3uTrAaMKgyumcllzZUuqbtAWyqh8iD0sJ4qIWBI~g074W65VwkNxuV8c6w~y78p-WIxdiozOYInjNs8k0I~L5TyaI9HUjBMYDqvXp9mLVinadeHCRlm0WWqTJF3EjpTUKUhXtKFXRAimr31CbJGrB1sNQY9pSMidkT8t4qCWffJtd3t2hMKFTkAisybFrly0L1v6waA1JwpyV8YYA7rJuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Southbridge Public Schools, MA","date","2025-01-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Southbridge School Committee on Jan. 14 announced two recent resignations and detailed progress under the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) plan to build committee capacity.

Chair Martina Shay told the committee that John Shaw submitted a letter of resignation effective Jan. 2 and Cathy LaPriore submitted her resignation Jan. 13. Shay said both were thanked “for their service” and the committee will hold a special joint meeting with the town council on Feb. 3 to appoint two members to fill the vacant seats; letters of interest are due to the town manager’s office by Jan. 30.

The committee said it is forming an operating‑protocols ad hoc subcommittee to draft rules for committee governance. Shay announced that Carla Veil Cruz Davila will chair that ad hoc, with Brittany Davison and Frank Katzinski as members. Committee members described recent norm‑setting training led by Tracy Novick of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and said the goal is to present an operating‑protocols document for a future committee vote.

On routine business, the committee approved the Dec. 10, 2024 meeting minutes as adjusted. The chair announced, “So we have 4 yeas and 1 abstention. The approval passes.” The record shows one member stated on the record, “I abstain. It wasn't at the meeting.” The committee did not identify the mover and seconder on the record in the minutes discussion.

Members described other recent work tied to the DESE plan: multiple training sessions, school visits (middle school and others), regular biweekly meetings with district officials and meetings with town council leadership to demonstrate collaborative governance. Committee members said they have increased meeting frequency from roughly quarterly to biweekly as part of the capacity‑building effort.

The committee also discussed scheduling a regular meeting on Feb. 11 and proposed beginning that meeting at 5:30 p.m. so the body can conduct Chapter 70 (school finance) training during the regular meeting; the chair said the 5:30 start time is proposed and will be posted once confirmed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Southbridge School Committee: 1-14-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Southbridge School Committee acknowledged resignations from John Shaw and Cathy LaPriore, formed an operating‑protocols ad hoc subcommittee, scheduled a joint Feb. 3 meeting with the town council to appoint replacements and approved minutes from Dec. 10 by a 4‑yeas, 1‑abstention vote.","taxTitle","Southbridge Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",69279,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6390741,"Parent tells Southbridge School Committee transport change harmed autistic child, urges training and parental authority",718,718000,1436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2112052-d015222b3437dbdbecae3ccc0f587a34&start=718&end=1436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2112052-d015222b3437dbdbecae3ccc0f587a34/thumbnail_718000.jpg","/articles/6390741/Massachusetts/Parent-tells-Southbridge-School-Committee-transport-change-harmed-autistic-child-urges-training-and-parental-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6390741-66d5fd0f1a3b6f40c8f7d91b8ba69478/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177086&Signature=CXpNXkCSb2HzffzWIl91ogcMzQ4VgSTdluiZwr15t68-Ihp-cOgrPDvkLEZ-t8amO1noSOQXfW1jzti5zs3XUVnPI0ERLS1Gq4dA0BcQt~hytpAkIm4pKZpVU7fjbVHj1k2hJAPprh4l1OiGLzXl~9JfRxB6IwLhRtqmN1sZ5NrybxRtsLBRN61SVcb~SbfNk~s2dc-ODAcfY32YscWM9HptsogzHXpkazS9w92dGUJ3VDtLYcZ~6RFEQbeKs0pOYwtmIDK9V~PlDlw1GLtVD68SfwCY~msbh7IXsAG4LJEHEg5EBKLf0DCE4Td1xIaMz~-cq-uttQtvwg-~gdjb5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brianna, a Southbridge resident and parent of a child with level‑3 autism spectrum disorder, told the Southbridge School Committee on Jan. 14 that a July clerical error and subsequent staffing changes for her child’s out‑of‑district transportation “removed his core transport team” and produced what she described as “regression” and increased medical and behavioral crises.

“I advocate for specialized training for all van staff, more power for the school of attendance in the event of out of district placements, and a firm veto power for parents,” Brianna said during the public comment portion of the meeting. She also said the district’s response included a firm refusal to restore the original van staff and a new requirement that her child be transported only if a four‑point restraint was used.

Brianna described the consequences she says followed the staff change: missed school days and life‑changing occupational therapy, speech therapy and applied behavior analysis services; additional medications; emergency‑room or urgent‑care visits; and one instance she said involved restraint that caused severe distress. She told the committee that she pursued the matter with “the superintendent of schools” and that attempts at resolution were unsuccessful.

Committee chair Martina Shay temporarily paused the meeting to ask whether the speaker’s time should be extended; the body voted to grant additional time and Brianna continued. She presented written and video evidence to the committee, and said prior van staff had agreed verbally to return but the district declined to reinstate them.

Brianna asked the committee to consider three specific remedies: training for all van staff on needs associated with severe autism, increased authority for the student’s school of attendance over decisions affecting out‑of‑district placements, and parental veto power over staffing decisions that affect a child’s transportation. She said she had taken on transportation duties herself after financial strain from the situation.

The committee did not take formal action on any of the remedies requested during the Jan. 14 meeting. Members did not announce a decision or a specific follow‑up assignment on the record during the public comment agenda item.","A Southbridge parent testified that a change in out‑of‑district transportation staff led to missed services, increased injury and a required four‑point restraint; she asked the committee for specialized training for van staff, greater authority for the school of attendance in out‑of‑district placements and parental veto power.","actionData","errors"]

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Southbridge School Committee announces two resignations, outlines DESE‑plan progress and governance steps

Parent tells Southbridge School Committee transport change harmed autistic child, urges training and parental authority