Baldwin County parents addressed the school board Thursday, saying there is a violent situation unfolding in an elementary classroom. The parents say they do not feel heard, and their children do not feel safe.
Brett Cardwell said her daughter is in first grade at Elberta Elementary. She told the school board that her daughter cries every morning because she doesn't want to go to school because of what she has witnessed.
"Our daughter cries every morning to not go to school and begs to be homeschooled," Cardwell said. "When we get home and ask her about her day, she's telling us that the class has gotten sent out of the room multiple times a day."
Cardwell said another student had headbutted her daughter, and the school nurse had to call her because the injury required ice.
"She tells us about every punch, every kick, every chair thrown," Cardwell continued. "She cries in her bed every single night. She's scared to death to go to school."
Superintendent Eddie Tyler told 1819 News that the topic was sensitive because it involved a special needs student. He said he cannot share specific facts due to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
However, he said public schools have a duty to accept children with special needs and give them an IEP with certain protections.
"Hearing officers and case law have tied the hands of public schools on the timely classroom removal, suspension or expulsion of an IDEA-protected child," Tyler stated. "All that having been said, we have been and will continue to seek a result that serves all these students and parents in accordance with all laws."
Still, parents believe it is the duty of the school system to protect students from punching, grabbing sensitive areas and stabbing with pencils, all things they say have happened.
Things got heated when parent Seth Headley took the podium to talk about assaults on his child. He blamed policies and inaction of the school system for the situation. He claimed that Superintendent Eddie Tyler had been rude and disrespectful about community concerns, a claim Tyler denied.
"I appreciate the way you attacked me," Tyler responded. When you don't know me, all you do is hear things. Now, it's my turn to speak, and I'm not going to waive anything. You've had your opportunity to speak."
"And I can take a lot," Tyler continued. "But when you say you've talked to board members and said I'm not going to do anything, I'd like to know who those board members are, and when you've made a comment like that, and also you said that I'm not going to do anything about it."
Tyler told the parent if he thought his previous response was rude, he had thin skin.
However, at the end of the public speaking portion of the meeting, he acknowledged one thing they had in common.
"There is one thing I'll agree with Mr. Headley on," Tyler said. "I want the board to hold me accountable and if the board doesn't think I'm doing my job, the board knows what they can do. So, there you go. Hold me accountable."
"If they don't think I'm doing my job, handling situations, the board has the authority to take action," Tyler explained. "So, you're right, Mr. Headley. Thank you."
Tyler discouraged any further publicity on the matter.
"Calling out, shaming and offending a student even in the advocacy of another student can create more problems which is why student actions and information are confidential," Tyler stated in response to a media inquiry.
"As a school system, we respect these can be very emotional, and trying times for parents advocating for their children," the superintendent continued. "We also recognize it can be emotional and trying for the school officials who are often placed between the children, the parents and the employees who may all feel they are trying to do the right thing."
"I wish I could share more but confidentiality has me limited beyond what I've shared here," Tyler added. "I hope you will consider the impact of further publicity of this matter upon all the children at the school including the special needs student and their family."
Cardwell told 1819 News students with special needs that distract the entire classroom should have their own space.
Parents say remedies the school has offered include counseling and telling the kids not to make eye contact when feeling threatened to avoid becoming victims.
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