KCPS School Board hit with accusation of ignoring special needs students

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Valerie Nic cholson-Watson , president of the Niles Home for Children, said Kansas City Public Schools are not providing adequate accommodations for students with special needs.

"I think these children are certainly being lost in the numbers," Nicholson-Watson said.  "The classes are too big.  The schools are too noisy.  It just overwhelms the children.  When their behaviors deteriorate, they suspend the children."

Nicholson-Watson said she has several kids at the Niles Home for Children, a non-profit organization that assists kids with special  needs, who are being sent home for acting-up.

"These children have diagnosed mental health issues.  They need special accommodations," Nicholson-Watson said.  "You cannot attain scholarship if you are sitting at home."

The district said its illegal to get involved unless the parent or guardian make a claim.

"When you're dealing with a special education child, if you don't involve the parent or court appointed guardian then you are in violation of the law," KCPS attorney Dr. Larry Aldman said.

It's a response that surprised Nicholson-Watson.

"We've been serving children and enrolling them and managing their education for decades.  We have never had an issue.  There has never been a challenge to our authority," Nicholson-Watson said.

Nicholson-Watson said the Niles Home for Children has never had its authority challenged by the school district in its 129 year history.

The district said it needs court documentation that shows the Niles Home for Children is the kid's legal guardian.