Parents urge Gresham‑Barlow board to address safety and discipline at Kelly Creek Elementary

GRESHAM, Ore. — A group of parents who said many of their children attend Kelly Creek Elementary told the Gresham‑Barlow School Board on May 7 that disciplinary problems at the school were endangering students, driving staff leave and prompting families to withdraw students from the district.

Parent David Hall described a pattern of daily disruptive behavior that he said includes fights at recess, classroom destruction, assaults and incidents involving knives. "We're here because we're deeply troubled by the conditions at this school and the out of control behavior that is often endangering our children," Hall told the board during public comment.

Hall said he and other parents had not received consistent information from the school about incidents that affected classrooms beyond a single classroom notification. He said some staff had taken leaves or resigned because of stress related to behavioral challenges and that the district’s plan to blend fourth and fifth grades at Kelly Creek next year could prompt additional withdrawals.

Board response and follow up: Deputy Superintendent Klinger acknowledged receipt of a written statement Hall had submitted and told him she would follow up. Chair Chris Howitt referred Hall’s letter to Deputy Superintendent Klinger and said she would "get back to you and she will also get back to the board about the information that you've requested." The board offered to arrange a meeting between district management and the parents to clarify what information can be shared and what steps the district is taking.

What parents requested: Hall asked for clarity about who is making decisions about safety and discipline, how policies are being applied at Kelly Creek and whether the district will provide the information that parents need to decide whether to keep their children enrolled in district schools.

Context from the meeting: Board materials and staff responses on the record indicated the district had policies governing confidentiality and student privacy that limit what staff can disclose about other students. Hall told the board he was not asking staff to reveal confidential information about other students but said parents were uncertain what district staff are permitted to share about incidents that affect their children's safety.

Next steps: The board directed staff to follow up with Hall and other parents; Deputy Superintendent Klinger said she would investigate whether a meeting was already scheduled and would coordinate a meeting with district management as requested. Board members and staff did not announce any new or immediate policy changes during the meeting.

Ending: Parents said they want clear, timely information and stronger measures to keep students and staff safe; the board said staff will report back with more information. "We asked to meet with the district management who are making decisions for the school so that we can gain some understanding of what our teachers are allowed to tell us about our own child's school and their safety within it," Hall said in his remarks.