Parent tells Yuma Elementary board ESS failed to meet daughter's hygiene and classroom needs; board asks staff to follow up

A parent identified in the meeting as Rosario told the Yuma Elementary District (4499) governing board on Oct. 25 that her daughter, a student with Down syndrome, experienced inadequate hygiene supports and classroom accommodations at El Tondo (Mary El Tondo) Elementary before she was transferred to Carver Elementary.

Rosario said the child, who was nonverbal and a runner when she entered kindergarten, “developed frequent diaper rashes because her pull up was not changed often as needed,” that there was “no toilet accommodations in her bathroom,” and there was “no stepstool for her to be able to reach the hand wash station.” She also said “there was no changing table for the parents to use.” She added that after seven months of emails and meetings with the district’s Exceptional Student Services (ESS) director and an associate superintendent the family obtained a transfer to Carver.

Rosario said Carver’s special-education teacher, identified in the meeting as Miss Jimenez, has provided “wonderful” support and that “since then, our daughter has thrived.” She told the board she remains concerned about long-term placement and continuity of services after her child leaves Carver: “What’s gonna happen the day she finishes Carver? Unfortunately, we can't bring Miss Jimenez with her to continue her education through middle school and high school.”

Board discussion and direction followed Rosario’s remarks. Board President Ponder asked for additional information and directed staff follow-up. “Would you please reach out and provide get some more information? And then I think the board needs to get some feedback on that situation,” Ponder said. Board staff confirmed they would gather documentation and follow up with the family and ESS leadership.

The parent said she has retained email records and other documentation of the communications with the ESS department and offered to provide that material to the district. Rosario framed her remarks as a broader concern based on conversations with other parents, saying the issues “seem to continue.”

No formal board action or personnel decisions were taken during the meeting on this item. The board recorded the public comment, and staff were asked to collect more details and report back at a future meeting.

Rosario’s remarks occurred during the board’s Call to the Public period; the request for staff follow-up was recorded immediately afterward during board discussion of the public comment.