The Arizona Department of Education has shut down a school for special needs students in Glendale, but a spokesman for the school says the problems have been fixed and about 120 students will return next week.
State education officials said they found filthy bathrooms, splintered wood, exposed nails and wiring last week during a surprise visit to the Children’s Center for Neurodevelopmental Studiesnear 54th Avenue and Glenn Drive.
“The facilities were not, in our opinion, appropriate for students, especially students who have special needs and may be even more vulnerable to some of the conditions that we found there,” said Charles Tack, Arizona Department of Education spokesman.
But there are two groups of students who go to the school-- one overseen by the DOE and the other by the state’s Division of Developmental Disabilities, said Matthew Benson, a school spokesman.
Repairs have been done, the Division of Developmental Disabilities has re-inspected the school and signed off on about 120 students returning next week, Benson said.
“How is it that one state agency has found that the school is safe to have students and to have kids back on campus, but another state agency has issued a blanket license revocation with no intent to come back and take another look at the school?” Benson said.
The school has 30 days to appeal. It would then go before an administrative law judge and Superintendent of Public Instruction, Diane Douglas.
