Parents tell Martin County board Bessie Creek special‑education classroom is unsafe; superintendent outlines next steps

Several parents told the Martin County School District school board on April 15 that a second‑grade ESE classroom at Bessie Creek Elementary has become unsafe after repeated outbursts by a single student.

Parent Charlie Felty said his 7‑year‑old son, Reese, who is in the district’s ESE program, has been exposed to daily outbursts that interfere with his learning and safety. “He often voices that he wishes he could be in a different space so that he can hear his teacher and learn,” Felty said. He told the board he had sent “no less than five” emails to school and district staff seeking change and that only limited adjustments had been made.

Parent Melinda Brought said she and other families have repeatedly witnessed a student physically and verbally attack classroom staff and other children. “The constant exposure has had a profound negative impact on each of them both emotionally and academically,” Brought said, and said parents were told the district plans to dismantle the current ESE class and relocate many of the children.

Superintendent Michael Main responded that district staff and the two ESE coordinators have observed the classroom, offered additional training for the teacher and paraprofessional, and had behavior technicians visit to provide support. Main told the board that district counsel is advising staff on next steps and said the district must balance the safety of other students and staff with the legal obligation to provide a free and appropriate education under each student’s individualized education program, or IEP. He offered to connect the concerned parents with district staff before they left the meeting to arrange classroom observation with a staff member present.

Parents at the microphone urged quicker, more decisive action, objecting to separating sibling students and asking that district responses prioritize both safety and continuity of services. The parents said prior communications with administrators and district ESE staff produced little visible change.

Board members acknowledged the public comments and thanked the parents for speaking; several asked staff to follow up quickly. Board member Dr. Moriarty said she appreciated the superintendent’s response and urged staff to pursue a rapid, workable solution.

The board did not take a formal vote on ESE placement or class structure at this meeting. Superintendent Main said staff will continue observations, training and consultation with counsel and will meet with the families to arrange classroom observations and further planning.

The issue will remain under staff review; parents asked that the board be kept informed of any staffing or placement changes affecting the students.