Parents and staff urge district action after Emotional Growth Center moved into Jacob Whismer; reports of injuries and threats

Multiple parents and a special‑education teacher told the Beaverton School Board on April 8 that moving an Emotional Growth Center (EGC) program into Jacob Whismer Elementary has coincided with repeated classroom disruptions, student injuries and threats.

The speakers said the EGC had been planned for Saddle Elementary under the district’s 2021 long‑range facilities plan but “was moved to Jacob Whismer” last fall without broad notice to families. Parent Bella Modi told the board, “When that program was moved to Jacob Whismer Elementary, none of those facility infrastructure safety measures or staff training to regular teachers came with that program,” and said her son “was kicked in the stomach 5 times.”

Why it matters: Parents and staff said the change reduced physical separation and specialized supports the EGC had in its prior location, and they asked the board for immediate steps to protect victims and reduce violence during the school day.

Details from public comment - Joel Sturm said he represents “some 70 parents at Jacob Whismer” and described classroom violence, racial epithets and a lack of timely communication from school administrators: “We don’t know, under these situations, how best to respond with our own kids.” - Sam Jones, a Jacob Whismer parent, said the relocation “has severely degraded the educational experience of my daughter and the fifth grade class,” and described instances he said he or his family witnessed, including a student running through the school, throwing bins and screaming profanities. Jones also said a student “threatened my daughter … saying that he would pop her head off her shoulders.” - Mamiko Garvey, who identified herself as working in an ISE (intensive special‑education) program at Hazeldale Elementary, said staff are “exhausted” and described chronic understaffing, student misplacement and inadequate support for toileting and safety needs. “We don’t even have enough staff to fully separate students attacking or setting off other students,” she said. - Adriana Jones said she submitted a petition signed by nearly 300 parents calling for immediate action, and listed specific demands including stronger separation policies, staff training, counseling and supports for both victims and students who harm others.

Board and process notes - The board chair read the public‑comment rules and did not respond during the comment period. Speakers were told the board would listen but not answer questions during public comment. - Several speakers said they had sought information and received “vague assurances” from school administrators but no clear remediation plan. - Student representatives attending the meeting later echoed concern that the issue has had an emotional impact on students.

What was not decided - The board did not take formal action during the meeting on the EGC placement or on the petitions or requests filed by parents. Several board members asked staff to provide additional information in followup, and some asked administration to share what communications have been given to families.

Next steps noted at the meeting - Parents said they formally submitted a petition that night; the board chair said staff would accept written submissions. - Multiple speakers asked for a “clear plan” from district administration outlining immediate steps to keep victims separated from aggressors and to provide counseling and other supports.

Quotes (from speakers at the meeting) “My son … was kicked in the stomach 5 times,” — Bella Modi, parent of a Jacob Whismer student. “This move has severely degraded the educational experience of my daughter and the fifth grade class at Jacob Whismer more generally,” — Sam Jones, parent. “We don’t even have enough staff to fully separate students attacking or setting off other students,” — Mamiko Garvey, ISE staff member at Hazeldale Elementary.

Ending: The board heard multiple accounts urging rapid district action; no policy change or vote occurred that night. Administration was asked to provide followup information to the board and to the families who raised concerns.