By David Fleet
Editor
Goodrich – An investigation that started last month at Oaktree Elementary school regarding alleged disciplinary issues that involve the superintendent’s son was updated at Monday’s school board meeting.
The school district recently initiated a review process based on parent concerns claiming students protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, were physically harming other students at the school building.
The review has been conducted by the district’s counsel, Joe Urban, and the student services department.
“It should be noted that the district counsel reports to the board not any staff hired by the board,” said Board President Greg Main in a prepared statement Monday night. “The school district has publicly invited volunteers to provide information to the team conducting the review and there has been a significant response. They have interviewed 15-17 total people, seven of whom are parents, those staff have all had union representation by the union advocates.”

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that requires schools to serve the educational needs of eligible students with disabilities.
Schools must find and evaluate students suspected of having disabilities—at no cost to parents
“All those interviewed have been promised there will be no retaliation by the district for any information that is shared and I encourage anyone who is concerned they experienced any retaliation should come forward to Mr. Urban,” said Main. The school district is committed to following the facts and the report will be given to the school board once the report is complete.”
The results will be shared publicity, added Main during his statement.
Superintendent Ryan Relken distributed a letter on Jan. 14 addressing the issue.
“Among the children that these parents are making assertions about is my son,” wrote Relken in the letter. “These parents are further stating that teachers and other staff at Oaktree are refusing to discipline students protected by IDEA appropriately because they are afraid of retaliation from me based on the fact that my son is one of the children about whom they are making assertions.”
“These assertions are causing significant disruption in the educational environment at the Oaktree campus,” added Relken. “It is important that not only the assertions and any motivations behind them be understood, but also any context in which they are being made should be fully explored. Further, if there is room for improvement in any of our processes or any misunderstandings about District policy and IDEA requirements, it is important that they be promptly addressed,” he wrote.
Contact Michelle Flessa, the district’s student services director, at 810-591-2250 to set a date and time for interview.