Parents question VWSD’s Section 504 compliance

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Recently, parents have raised concerns about the Vicksburg Warren School District’s compliance with Section 504 regarding supplying children with various abilities with proper accommodations. 

Some local parents are accusing the VWSD of violating Section 504 by failing to provide adequate accommodations for children. Although VDN will not name specific children, examples include a child who requested that all lessons from the teacher be supplied in writing because the student could not hear out of one ear. Another example is that a child asked for time to turn in homework because the student had Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and would often forget to turn in assignments. 

According to the Mississippi Department of Education’s Section 504 Guidance Document, Congress prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, in a segment most often referred to as Section 504. This is a broadly worded prohibition that covers both children and adults.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a Federal civil rights law and prohibits discrimination by local education agencies receiving Federal assistance against students with disabilities. Included in the U.S. Department of Education’s regulations for Section 504 is the requirement that students with disabilities be provided with a Free Appropriate Public Education. These regulations require identification, evaluation, and the provision of appropriate services, along with procedural safeguards, in every public school in the United States.

Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals whose physical or mental impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities, including: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, learning, concentrating, standing, lifting, bending, eating, reading, thinking, and communicating. 

According to VWSD, there are certain procedures to be followed when a student is in need of accommodations. 

The school district said the following:

“The district is committed to ensuring that all students with disabilities have equal access to educational programs and services. Eligibility determinations under Section 504 are made on an individualized, case-by-case basis by a team of knowledgeable individuals. These decisions are based on multiple sources of data, including information provided by parents, medical or clinical documentation when applicable, and educational performance data. A student qualifies for protections under Section 504 only when the team determines that the student has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as defined by federal law.”

According to the district, it follows all procedural requirements under Section 504, including providing notice to parents, opportunities for meaningful participation in the decision-making process, and access to procedural safeguards. Families who disagree with a Section 504 determination are informed of their rights and may pursue the dispute resolution options outlined in the district’s procedural safeguards.

“Individual student records and specific service details are protected under federal privacy laws (FERPA), so we cannot comment on individual cases. However, the district remains committed to working collaboratively with families and ensuring compliance with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws,” stated the release. 

If families and parents are not satisfied with current conditions for their child/children, the district provides the following process: 

First, parents are encouraged to contact their child’s school directly. In most cases, questions or concerns can be addressed quickly and effectively at the school level through the school’s 504 team, counselor, teacher, or administrator who works directly with the student.

If concerns are not resolved at the school level, parents may then contact the district’s Exceptional Education Department. The Exceptional Education Director serves as the next point of contact and works collaboratively with families and school staff to review concerns, ensure compliance, and take corrective action when necessary. 

“We strongly encourage families to follow this process so that concerns can be addressed promptly, appropriately, and with the specific context needed to support each student. Open communication between families and schools is essential, and we welcome those conversations,” stated the district. 

VWSD Director of Special Education is Dr. Lashandra Hodge-McClure. She may be reached by phone at 601-636-4371.