Mother of handicapped student challenges QPS to address ADA compliance and equal education access

At Wednesday night’s Quincy Public Schools School Board meeting, Karla Hildebrand, a mother of an eighth grader at Quincy Junior High School, delivered a speech calling attention to ongoing issues of accessibility and inclusion for disabled students in the district’s music program.

Hildebrand’s daughter, Maddie, has faced numerous health challenges and disabilities, including muscle problems and autism. Despite these challenges, Hildebrand shared that Maddie has always had a positive attitude, helping others and striving to be an active participant in her education. 

“Much like Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream for equality, I had a dream that my daughter could fully enjoy the joys of school, friends, and music,” Hildebrand told the Board.

However, Hildebrand described how the district’s failure to provide equal access to the music program has severely impacted Maddie’s education. One of the most significant issues raised was the lack of accessibility to the band room at Quincy Junior High School. While the school does have an elevator, it does not provide access to the band room on the top floor, nor does it reach the annex cafeteria, leaving disabled students like Maddie isolated and excluded from their peers during music class and lunch.

Hildebrand reported that her daughter has missed over 3,500 minutes of instruction this school year, often left sitting alone without a teacher due to staffing shortages. 

“If the music department is short-staffed, she has no teacher at all,” Hildebrand said. “This has been a recurring issue for Maddie,” she said

Hildebrand said that an email from Dr. Pettit, dated October 12, 2023, acknowledged the longstanding issue of inaccessibility to the band room, dating back to 1933. “We know that access to the band room has been an issue since 1933,” Pettit’s email stated. Ryan Clair, Maintenence Director, added that there are “many other issues when it comes to being ADA compliant.”

In his comments at the meeting, Dr. Pettit explained that, due to the building’s age, it is not currently required to meet modern ADA compliance standards. 

“We are not required to do that at this time, per state guidelines,” Pettit said. “I am not going to comment on a specific student, but there are alternative solutions in place.” 

Pettit said that all students should be given equitable access to the educational system. 

“All students should be allowed to experience the educational system in an equitable manner,” he said.

Hildebrand noted that millions of dollars have been spent on “luxuries” such as new turf and stadium lights, and essential upgrades for disabled students have been ignored. 

“We have spent millions on things that do not directly impact education, while students like my daughter are left behind,” she said.

The lack of support and inclusion has also led to several instances where Maddie was unable to participate in performances. Hildebrand recounted how her daughter was not given the correct music for performances, often receiving it late or not at all, and was excluded from her peers during practices and gave her no time to prepare; a challenge made harder by her dyslexia. 

“Maddie was upset at the first performance, and a staff member told her to ‘fake it until you make it,'” Hildebrand said.

Hildebrand also accused the district of improper billing practices for students on free or reduced lunch, particularly for fees related to music classes and performances. She claimed the district threatened to bar students from participating in events due to unpaid fees, a practice that was later corrected after intervention from the Illinois State Board of Education.

In her speech, Hildebrand pointed out that music is a universal language and should be accessible to all students, regardless of income or ability. She criticized the QPS music department for failing to accommodate students with disabilities, noting that her daughter had been denied the opportunity to fully participate in the music program despite her passion for music.

“I believe in the mission of the QPS music department—to provide a richer, fuller life through music,” Hildebrand said in her press release regarding the speech. “But it’s clear to me that this mission is not for all students.”

She ended her address by expressing gratitude to those who have supported her family, including State Senator Jil Tracy, her friends and family, and even pop star Pink, who invited Maddie to a concert and dedicated a song to her. 

“Thank you, Pink, for showing Maddie what inclusive music truly means,” Hildebrand said. “We are not giving up.”

Hildebrand said that all she wants is for her daughter to be treated fairly. 

Hildebrand was cut off at the 5 minute mark and School Board President Shelley Arns said they could continue the discussion over a phone call.