A Massachusetts father advocating for his son with autism and ADHD at a special education meeting was allegedly mocked by educators after he left the room. Gaurav Jashnani met with educators from Northampton Public Schools in January 2025 to discuss his son’s state-mandated accommodations. After the meeting concluded, an educator allegedly called him a “pain in the a–” when he left the room. Jashnani obtained a transcript of that meeting and brought it to a March school board committee meeting to expose what he heard.
According to a transcript obtained by the Boston Globe, school officials reportedly said, “That guy [is] such a pain in the ass. He’s mad that the teacher doesn’t talk to him in the tone of voice he wants. I’m like, let it go. That is not going to happen.”
Per People, a frustrated Jashnani brought the transcript to a March 13 board meeting and told the crowd, “This is how our administrators talk about us.”
He alleged board members mistreated his son based on their perception of Jashnani’s political affiliation. “One of them … casually admits general and systematic non-compliance with IEPs as a norm in our school district.”
Most of the transcript was reportedly recorded after Jashnani left and included conversations among board members and resources for special needs students.
“We have so many, so many families of kids who need so much more, so much more than we give them, and they don’t know that they can come in and make a fuss,” one said, per People. “So, yes, this is one of those times that we’ll go – apparently, we’ll go to war.”
Although Jashnani believed the board members treated him unfairly and spoke unkindly about him behind his back, he asserted his biggest concern was for the children.
“I hear students say they are being harmed in this meeting, I hear teachers say they are being literally attacked – there’s not enough staff,” he said. “I’m a parent telling you this district is failing and harming my child… I expect better.”
Jashnani filed a complaint against the Northampton Public School District, claiming officials violated his son’s constitutional right to “free and appropriate public education.” Per People, the district must respond by April 18 with a student schedule to ensure the alleged violations are corrected.
