Parents concerned about decline in Decatur's special needs programs

Apr. 13—Cam Harris says Decatur Parks & Recreation's special needs program has been the envy of many cities, but she fears it may be slipping.

She said her concerns began when the recreation coordinator for therapeutics, Kellie Sims, retired in December after 27 years, a vacancy that still has not been filled. Harris and many other parents and guardians of special needs fear the lack of a replacement for Sims signals an unwillingness on the city's part to continue the programs that buoy the spirits of their loved ones and, at least in Sims' opinion, put Decatur on the map.

During a meeting Thursday at Aquadome Recreation Center, about 70 parents and guardians told three Parks & Recreation employees they were worried the city doesn't plan to replace the recreation coordinator for therapeutics and that it would rely on part-timers to run the program. Other parents said they feared the city was trying to get rid of the program altogether.

Some 296 supporters have signed petitions asking the city to hire a coordinator and continue the programs.

City officials, however, say both notions — that they are dropping the coordinator position or dropping the program — are either misunderstandings or misinformation.

"The city has been trying since January to hire a new coordinator and there has never been a plan to do away with the program," said Stephanie McLain, Parks & Rec's Point Mallard Park superintendent, who spearheaded Thursday's meeting for the city.

The bulk of Thursday's meeting dealt with Parks & Recreation representatives — McLain, operations supervisor Aaron Lang and recreation superintendent Orlandus King — trying to explain to parents and guardians that, as McLain put it, there was no plan to "do away with the position and the program."

She said the job was reposted the Monday before the Thursday meeting. The reason the job had to be reposted was because when it was first put out in January, only one person, an internal candidate, applied, McLain said, and the person did not meet the criteria to be hired.

There was a lapse in reposting the job because the job description was modified and had to go through both the city Human Resources Department and the Personnel Board, which takes time, she said. Some parents expressed a concern that the only reason the job was reposted is because parents had called for Thursday's meeting. — Coordinator job

The job opening — now listed on the city's website at cityofdecatural.com — calls for either a person with a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, education, or related field and two years of experience in therapeutic recreation or a person with sufficient education and experience to demonstrate competency to meet the requirements of the position.

Starting pay is $47,209 with benefits. Some parents at the meeting said the starting pay is too low and should be raised.

The application deadline is April 30, and the city is trying to attract as many qualified candidates as possible, officials said.

More than one parent said Thursday the city should have hired a new coordinator that could have been trained by Sims before she left. However, the city does not generally hire a new manager when there is already one still in place, officials said, as it results in a duplication of pay.

The three Parks & Recreation officials who directed the meeting were generally positive about how it went.

"I think the meeting went great," Lang said afterward. "There was a lot of misinformation that got them to the point of irritation," he said of parents, and the "misinformation" did not reflect the city's actual intentions for the job.

He said attendees conveyed that they want "the best candidate for the position, and that's what we're looking for." — Parents speak out

Harris, whose son Hunter has special needs, said they moved from Montgomery to Decatur because if offered more activities for special needs clients through sports and education.

"We moved from Montgomery, the state capital, which one would have thought would lead the way. To our sadness, Decatur has dropped the ball this year."

She said the program is no longer offering as many special needs sport and educational activities.

"There has not been a single person I have spoken with who understands why Decatur would even contemplate lowering their standard in this area while other cities are striving to build programs to rival Decatur's," she said.

Sarah Malinowski, whose sister Shannon has participated with the Parks & Rec program for 29 years, questioned why it has taken so long to get a new coordinator.

"The city has had over a year to find a suitable replacement for Kellie Sims, the previous director," she said. "Our children shouldn't have to suffer because of your lack of understanding of how important this organization is to our community."

Mark Griffin said, "The therapeutic programs in Decatur make it possible for my children — now adults — to have a rich and fulling life."

He said they swim, bowl, attend drum and rhythm classes, Zumba and dance aerobics, play baseball, go on trips, attend exercise classes and have fun parties. Other participants enjoy golf, basketball, volleyball, bocce, weightlifting and other sports.

"This (coordinator) position was created over 35 years ago and needs to be continued and expanded," he said.

Griffin said if the city can't get applicants for the job, it should consider increasing the starting pay or casting a wider net to get the right person.

McLain said she believes it will all work out. She said once the new coordinator is in place, then Parks & Rec can "look at the program in general to make it better." — Policy change

The rest of Thursday's meeting dealt with a policy change that also concerned parents and guardians about the direction the program is taking.

The modification is that Parks & Rec is no longer going to transport special needs athletes and will not supply chaperones when they travel.

"We are not going to travel and carry those athletes anymore," McLain said. "They will need chaperones. We are making some modifications. We will still be involved with Alabama Special Olympics."

She cited the recent regional swim meet hosted by Parks & Recreation as well as a bowling meet last week.

"So, we are not changing any of that," she said. "We're still going to go and help coach."

McLain said the change was prompted by concerns about liability.

City Attorney Herman Marks said the change on transportation and chaperones was not a decision made by the Legal Department but rather a policy change.

"We often have policy changes in the city," Marks said.

King said Special Olympics Alabama provides and will continue to provide transportation to some events.

— jean.cole@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2361