Baltimore City Schools is under fire from the state for violating the education rights of multiple students. But the City’s leadership appears to be looking the other way.
“Egregious, egregious, disgusting,” said Brittany Patrick, an education advocate for students with disabilities. “How can you allow this to happen to a child? That's my question. Oftentimes, as educators, we talk about these terms of equity and justice and access.”
Patrick has watched Project Baltimore reports on four Baltimore City students, who each filed a disability complaint with the state because the school system did not provide the services they needed to learn. The Maryland State Department of Education investigated and found City Schools violated the federal education rights of each student.
“Education is a civil right, and access to a free and appropriate public education is especially necessary when we're talking about students with disabilities,” Patrick told Project Baltimore.
Patrick is now representing the four families pro bono. She’s helping them navigate the legal maze of special education, which is large and complicated. Last school year, the City Schools special education budget was $207 million. That money includes federal, state, and local dollars and provide the services required by law to students with disabilities. But a state investigation has confirmed at least four students did not receive the services.
“There may be a much larger problem, and I can fully get that sense,” said Patrick. “It's a huge deal that can't be ignored.”
Many people would say the problem is being ignored, in addition to other issues in the school system. Last Wednesday, September 28th, Project Baltimore reached out to City Schools concerning these families. A spokesperson for the district said City Schools would provide a statement, but Project Baltimore received nothing.
In July, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Senate President Bill Ferguson, who represents Baltimore City, held a surprise press conference to celebrate the accomplishments of City Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises. At the time, the school system was caught in multiple scandals. Weeks before the event, the State Inspector General for Education released a damning report on grade changing in City Schools. The governor and other public officials were calling for a criminal investigation into possible fraud. The House GOP Delegation was calling for Dr. Santelises to resign. And Fox45 News had already begun telling the stories of these students.
During the July press conference, Mayor Brandon Scott said to Dr. Santelises, “You’ve encountered a number of challenges over the last few years, a budget deficit that resulted in layoffs, regular criticism from local media, that should be bolded.”
Three months later, Senator Ferguson’s office won’t return Project Baltimore’s calls and emails about what happened to these students. Mayor Brandon Scott sent a short email saying he has “faith” in the City Schools administration. The mayor’s statement mentioned new schools and funding. But he says nothing about what happened to Ebony Frisby’s son, Shai.
“If what you're saying as a mayor, everything is fine and they got it, then I should not have to go through this process,” said Frisby, a Baltimore City mother.
Frisby’s son, Shai, missed 96 straight days of school because the district did not provide him with the services he was required to receive. The state found his federal education rights were violated.
“Us people are the reason why this city is still here. I pay taxes in this city, for me and my son to live here and thrive. We can't do that if the people that's in charge of this city isn't doing their part. And he's not,” Frisby told Project Baltimore.
“It begs the question of why,” said Patrick. “Why? What's the secret? What is the avoidance of addressing an inequity?”
Patrick watched for months as city leaders avoided discussing issues in the school system. She reached out to these families because no one else in Baltimore City did.
“It's disappointing,” Patrick told Project Baltimore. “If we're celebrating when we have so many children and families that we know are crying out for simple access to education via their individualized education plans, what is there to celebrate?”