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Parent raises alleged assault of special‑needs student; district pledges follow‑up
Summary
A parent said her son, a student with special needs, was struck by a school staff member and said district offices have not responded. The board and superintendent said the district would ensure leadership follows up and that staff from the special education team or leadership would contact the parent.
During the open forum portion of the Gadsden Independent School District board meeting, a parent said her non‑verbal special‑needs son was allegedly struck by a staff member at Sunrise Elementary and that she has received no follow‑up from the district. The parent said she had observed the incident through a teacher‑aide’s report and is concerned the same staff member is still assigned to work with special‑needs students elsewhere in the district.
The board president and superintendent responded at the meeting that leadership would follow up and that someone from the leadership team, or the special education department, would contact the parent. The superintendent asked staff to ensure appropriate follow‑up and confirmed the district would attempt to reach the parent after the meeting.
The parent told the board she has not received emails or phone calls in response to her inquiries and requested direct contact from special education staff and district leadership to address the incident and to confirm what steps the district has taken.
District staff said they would make follow‑up contact; at the meeting the superintendent acknowledged the parent’s concern and asked district staff to reach out. The board did not take formal action during the meeting; this was a public comment asking the district to investigate and respond.
