[submitted to the DC Council October 28, 2025]
Thank you, Chairman Mendelson and CMs, for allowing me the opportunity to submit comments regarding OSSE DOT. My name is Julie Camerata and I am the Executive Director of the DC Special Education Cooperative or the Co-op. The Co-op serves 59 charter LEAs and our vision is that all students with disabilities in the District of Columbia are empowered and equipped to lead meaningful and connected lives.
First, I want to recognize areas where the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and the Division of Transportation (DOT) have made meaningful progress this year. The Parent Portal rollout has been a relative success. School leaders have shared that the Parent Portal team, particularly Rabia Khokhar and Stephanie Davis, have been incredibly quick and helpful in supporting families as they navigate the new platform. Their continued responsiveness as new questions arise has made a real difference.
We also want to commend the transportation accommodations team. Their turnaround time for new or unique needs, such as adding a ramp when a student temporarily uses a wheelchair, has improved significantly. Importantly, the team has begun proactively
communicating with LEAs when accommodations are challenging or impact routes. This has created a more collaborative and solutions-oriented dynamic, rather than unilateral decision-making. We want to encourage this continued partnership.
At the same time, we see several areas that need attention and clarification:
- Misalignment between the Parent Resource Center (PRC) and Parent Portal: Families are sometimes receiving conflicting guidance; for example, being told by the PRC that LEAs need to update addresses or contact information that can now only be changed directly through the Parent Portal. Ensuring PRC staff are fully trained on the new system will help prevent confusion and delays for families.
- Stipend program communication: This year, the transportation stipend option was limited to students who had previously ridden the bus, but this restriction was neither communicated publicly nor written anywhere prior to parents applying. Clear, proactive communication about eligibility criteria is critical to family trust and equitable access.
- Transportation Request Form (TRF) timelines: Finally, we urge OSSE to collaborate with LEA stakeholders to review the TRF submission process and deadlines for next year. What had previously been a May task for schools evolved into an all-summer process this year. For many small charter schools without year-round special education teams, this shift created significant operational strain. A more predictable and streamlined process would better support LEAs’ limited capacity while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
In closing, we appreciate OSSE’s ongoing efforts to improve transportation services and communication with schools and families. The progress made this year shows what’s possible when collaboration is prioritized—and we encourage continued partnership and transparency as systems and policies evolve. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring that every student with a disability can access school safely and reliably.