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Parents and residents urge Palos CCSD 118 to address bullying, student privacy and para pay during public comment
Summary
Parents and residents used the meeting’s public‑comment period to report alleged bullying and request stronger reporting and support for victims, to warn against public discussion of students’ behavior, and to call for equitable pay and stipends for paraprofessionals.
Several parents and community members used the public‑comment period at the March Palos CCSD 118 Board meeting to raise concerns about student safety, privacy and compensation for paraprofessional staff.
Lauren DeAngelo, a parent, described repeated bullying incidents involving her son and said she believes the school has not provided sufficient or timely supports. She said her son was “punched, kicked, slapped, and spit at” on multiple occasions and asked, “How much does my child have to endure before definite action is taken?” DeAngelo cited a requirement under Illinois law that parents be notified of bullying incidents within 24 hours and said she has not received timely notification in her case.
Dr. Rasha Atala, who identified herself as a family medicine physician, parent and active school board member, urged civility and privacy protections. She warned against public discussion of a child’s behavior in ways that could violate privacy or undermine a candidate’s qualifications. Atala referenced the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and said student behavior concerns should be handled privately by school officials under established protocols.
Barbara Ketchum, who identified herself as an essential worker, told the board that paraprofessionals in the district are underpaid and that some employees were presented with choices that she described as unfair—accept a raise and forego family health coverage. She said stipend awards for assisted daily living duties had been applied to only some staff and argued for equitable compensation for paras performing health‑related and daily‑living tasks.
Erin Kelly, identifying herself as a resident and the spouse of an elected official, urged the board to disavow social‑media attacks that name and criticize a 7‑year‑old student connected to a board candidate. Kelly asked the board to set a tone of civility during the campaign season and to rely on established school processes when behavior concerns arise.
What was not taken: The public comments raised allegations and requests; the meeting transcript records these speakers and their statements but shows no corrective action or staff response during the public‑comment period. After public comment the board moved into closed session to discuss personnel and student matters.
Why it matters: Parents and students raised safety and privacy concerns that the speakers said require district action and clearer enforcement of notification and support protocols. Paraprofessional pay and stipend equity affect classroom staffing stability and care for students with high needs.
