A school district in Arizona has counseled its special education director and apologized to the parent of students with disabilities after the director parked illegally in a handicapped space.
Special Education Director William Santiago was dropping his own child off at school on a rainy day and was blocked by traffic from reaching other parking spaces. That’s when Santiago used the handicapped spot.
Parent Chris Beckham was dropping off his two children. Both have muscular dystrophy, and one of them uses a scooter.
Beckham says he asked Santiago not to park in the handicapped spot again, according to The Arizona Republic.
Then, Beckham said Santiago told him, “Just because you have a hard life doesn’t mean the world owes you everything.”
The parent filed a complaint with the school district which counseled Santiago and sent Beckham a letter of apology.
Beckham says he appreciates what the district has done so far, but he believes Santiago should face harsher discipline.
This case isn’t over yet. Beckham says he plans to take further action by complaining to the Mesa Public School governing board or the state Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Illegal use of a handicapped parking space can result in a citation with a $101 fine in Mesa. Santiago wasn’t cited in the incident.
