Salem, OR – After moving through five Salem schools in five years, Mindy Stubenrauch has finally found a classroom that works for her son — a special education environment where he feels supported and able to thrive. Now, with news of a potential classroom change looming, she and other parents fear that the stability and progress their children have made could be jeopardized.
For many families of children with special needs, finding the right educational setting is a long and often difficult journey. Stubenrauch’s experience is emblematic of this challenge. “Each move has been a setback,” she said. “But finally, we found a classroom where my son is happy and making real progress. The thought of moving again is frightening.”
Parents in the Salem community are raising concerns about the proposed changes within the special education program. They worry that relocating students, disrupting established routines, and adjusting to new teachers will undermine the gains their children have worked hard to achieve.
Educators acknowledge the complexities of balancing resource allocation and meeting diverse student needs. However, parents emphasize that stability is crucial for children with special needs, many of whom rely heavily on consistent environments and familiar support systems.
Local advocacy groups have begun organizing to ensure that parents’ voices are heard in any decision-making process. “We want to partner with the school district, not oppose them,” said one advocate. “But our priority is ensuring these kids have the best possible chance to succeed.”
As the Salem school district weighs its options, the experiences of families like Stubenrauch’s underscore the delicate nature of special education placement decisions — and the profound impact they can have on children and their futures.
