97J working on transitional program for developmentally disabled students. School board members heard from Mary Jo Vollmer during the public comments section at the beginning of Wednesday’s board meeting. She wanted to “re-open” a complaint she had filed earlier this year related to her son Luke. Vollmer’s son is only days away from turning 21 and she is asking that the school district to continue his education. In May, the board denied that complaint, partly because they deemed the policy she was complaining about was valid. Plus, an exception for one student this year would likely turn into multiple requests for exceptions next year as several other students are reaching the same cutoff age. Lisa Utz is the Special Programs Director at 97J. She says she has been working on a way to find help for Luke and other students like him, including others who have graduated in the past several years. (UTZ) – “So the board directed me to really kind of lean into what could we do.” Utz acknowledged that it is important to continue to provide services. (UTZ) – “Much like we would help students who are going off to college or going on to the work force from, you know, graduating from twelfth grade with a diploma, this is an opportunity for us to figure out that next step for someone that might be more impacted by a disability” She reiterated the Oregon Department of Human Resources, through their Developmentally Disabled Services, has the responsibility, tools and funding to make it happen. Something, she told directors Wednesday, that is already in the works and should be operating by the end of August.
