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Plano ISD student, parents allege physical abuse by staff; district says it has notified police and other agencies
Summary
A Plano ISD student and her parents told the board they have video showing a staff member physically harming the student. The district says it reported the incident to law enforcement and other agencies and is cooperating with investigations; the staff member is no longer employed by the district.
A Plano ISD student and her parents accused school staff of repeated physical mistreatment during public comments at the board's April 8 meeting, and district officials said they have reported the matter to law enforcement and are investigating.
Sania ("Senia") Reese, identified on the meeting roster as a Plano ISD student, told trustees she is a student "with unique needs" and described a recording she said documents multiple instances of physical harm, including fingers bent back, toes twisted, being lifted by the neck and being struck in the face. "This is not care. This is not an accident," Reese said during the public comment period.
Her parents, Leticia Nelson and Alvin Nelson, told the board they have repeatedly raised concerns about the same staff and described a pattern of bullying, neglect and callous treatment that they say culminated in physical harm on Jan. 8. Leticia Nelson said staff mocked and verbally harassed her daughter and that one paraprofessional "openly wished" the child would have diarrhea so the student could be sent home. Alvin Nelson said the family provided video evidence and demanded accountability.
Plano ISD told the board the district took immediate steps when it learned of the incident. "Plano ISD did take immediate action upon learning about the incident," said Lisa Wilson, identified earlier in the meeting as deputy superintendent for teaching, learning and life readiness. She told the board the district notified the Plano Police Department, Adult Protective Services and the State Board for Educator Certification, and that the district is cooperating with law enforcement. Wilson said the teacher involved is no longer employed by the district and that the district is continuing an internal review to "fully understand what all has occurred, to take any additional actions, and to identify any necessary steps that we need to take to ensure that this does not happen again."
Board members moved into closed session later in the meeting under statutory provisions that include attorney consultation and personnel matters; the board reconvened in open session at 8:01 p.m. The board did not announce a formal vote or disciplinary action in open session.
The family told the trustees the student has not attended school since Jan. 21 while the situation is addressed; they said the student has suffered physical and emotional repercussions from the alleged incidents. Family members asked the board to ensure full transparency in the investigation and to keep the student's safety central to any personnel or placement decisions.
Plano ISD emphasized it is working with the family and law enforcement and said it is committed to the safety of vulnerable learners. The district did not provide additional public details about the specific status of the internal investigation at the meeting.
The board did not take a public vote related to the incident during the meeting. Trustees said they heard the family and would await the results of the ongoing investigations by law enforcement and state agencies.
The district did not identify the staff member by name at the meeting. Parents and the student said they have provided video records with time-stamped allegations; the family asked the board to review those recordings and to hold responsible employees accountable.
