Parent tells United ISD board the grievance process silences families, urges fairer investigations

During public comment on May 14, a parent asked United ISD trustees to reform the district’s grievance process, saying her family felt the system minimized evidence and dismissed concerns after she filed a complaint.

“I believed that the grievance process will be fair. I believed that people in charge would listen, and I believe that justice mattered here. Oh, was I wrong?” the parent, Abir Alahadad, said. She described her experience as one in which “evidence was brushed aside,” questions went unanswered and her child’s pain was minimized.

Alahadad said the process made her feel “small” and that, rather than restoring trust, it left parents fearing reprisals. She urged trustees to create a grievance process that “does more than a checkbox” and that investigates with honesty and decides with integrity so that students, parents and staff feel protected.

No formal board action on grievance procedure reform was taken during the meeting. Alahadad’s remarks were part of the public comment period; trustees did not announce immediate policy changes but heard the appeal. The board may consider process revisions through administrative review or a future agenda item.

The parent’s statement asked trustees to ensure investigations are handled with compassion and transparency and that any systemic shortcomings be addressed so families do not feel discouraged from reporting student safety issues.