Critics of the Grand Rapids Public School's Director of Special Education say a majority of teachers and staff want her removed.
On Monday night March 3, they presented the school board with a petition calling for the replacement of Laura LaMore.
Her opponents say under LaMore special education in the Grand Rapids School District is understaffed, unsafe, poorly managed and not meeting the needs of approximately 4,000 special education students. They told the school board most of the special education staff, including 847 who signed the petition, feel the same way.
“847 represents an extremely high number,” says Disability A-Team of West Michigan founder Lily Cheng Schulting. “Just think about it. 847 Special Education teachers and staff. This is an overwhelming majority. This is a vote of no confidence.”
Grand Rapids Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal hired Laura LaMore in 2014 to direct special education in the district.
She blames some of the complaints on the fast pace of change and says most issues have been or are being resolved. Last week the superintendent said she has no plans to fire or replace Executive Director LaMore.
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