Community Pleads with District to Not Fire 3 Special Ed Staff

At Wednesday night’s Redwood City School District board meeting, many parents and district employees came to the defense of three special education employees who could be fired due to an alleged child abuse incident by a special education teacher. They championed Terese Talmage’s, Scott Yarbrough’s and Thea Hornor’s dedication and support of special education students throughout the district.

On Feb. 4, special education teacher Alexia Aliki Bogdis was arrested on nine counts of child cruelty and battery. On Feb. 9, eight employees were placed on leave as investigation into the incident continues.

“They saved our lives,” said parent Elaine Park of the three. “And that’s only the smallest of exaggerations.” She said her son could barely make it through a day of second grade, and that he was now in eighth grade flourishing, with many friends, and looking towards a promising high school career.

Parent Jennifer Myers also made a public comment to the board, “They’re not just employees. They’ve had a positive impact on my child and our family.”

She said during each conference when she met with them to discuss her child’s individualized education plan (IEP) as mandated by law, they covered every single item each time.

“They just made me feel so safe,” she said.

Parent Shannon Rosa added, “They believe in our kids. They never make you feel like your child is a burden.”

Fellow administrators also stepped forward to support their colleagues.

Eleanor Tyldesley, an adminstrator at the special education department since 1999 and Vice Principal at North Star Academy lamented the potential loss of those three employees.

“The four of us are a team,” Tyldesley said. “Losing this team would set us so far back.”