Parent describes student assault at Lake City Middle School; board members pledge follow-up

A concerned parent (name not specified) told the Columbia County School Board that her daughter, Scarlett, was attacked inside a Lake City Middle School bathroom on Feb. 5 and later treated at an emergency room.

The parent said Scarlett was “grabbed from behind” and “slapped against a concrete wall,” and that doctors later diagnosed a concussion and cervical paraspinal muscle spasm. “This experience has shaken me to the core,” the parent said at the meeting.

Why it matters: The comment came during the public-comment portion of the board meeting and raised questions about adult supervision during class changes and how school leaders document and respond to violent incidents.

The parent said she contacted school administrators and the school resource officer and was told the SRO “only goes out of the office if called.” She also said, to her knowledge, “no incident report has been filled out” and that the attack had been treated as “just another fight that was going to be swept under the rug.” The parent added that students at the school had warned Scarlett about entering restrooms because fights are sometimes recorded on phones.

Board members acknowledged the parent’s account and said the district would follow up. In response, Mr. Hudson, identified in the transcript as a school board member, said, “I want you to feel safe. I want all of our students feel safe,” and said he has communicated with administration and that those conversations would continue.

Superintendent Cooley, who also spoke from the dais, thanked the parent and others for raising concerns and said district staff would work on steps to ensure student safety. A board member noted there would be “further conversation about your concerns,” indicating additional follow-up is expected.

Details from testimony: The parent said the nurse initially described Scarlett as “okay” and suggested over-the-counter medicine; after a friend took Scarlett to the emergency room she was diagnosed with a concussion. The parent said she has called multiple administrators and that only one returned her call. She urged the board to increase adult presence in high-traffic areas during class changes and to hold schools accountable for safety.

What the board said it will do: Board members and the superintendent expressed sympathy and said they would pursue the matter with school administrators. The meeting record shows the parent’s account and the district’s pledge to continue the conversation, but does not include a formal board motion or timeline for a follow-up report.

Ending: The board did not announce any immediate policy change at the meeting. The parent’s account and board comments indicate the district plans further review and follow-up with school administrators to address supervision and incident reporting.