Parent calls for accountability after fight at Harwood Junior High; requests task-force transparency

A resident told the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD board during open comment that two adult staff members failed to intervene during a March altercation at Harwood Junior High and said the district's response to parents was inadequate.

Eric Love, who identified himself as a resident, told trustees the incident on March 25 drew "global attention" and said two male staff members did not perform their duties, which he said resulted in serious injury. Love said a student who intervened showed more courage than the staff. He named two staff members in his remarks and said he had obtained training records and personnel files that did not show disciplinary action.

Love said the school principal notified parents by email roughly 32 hours after the incident and that a superintendent letter followed three days later. He said the superintendent's message stated "Severe consequences have already been delivered," and asked the board to identify to whom those consequences were applied.

"Leaders must be held accountable," Love said, asking the district task force reviewing the incident to reach beyond routine responses and to include honest, outside-the-box perspectives. He said he has filed an open-records request and expects further information.

Board members did not take action during the meeting; the speaker said he expects updates from the district task force in June.