Parents tell Onslow County board concussion protocols, emergency response failed in recent student incidents

At the Onslow County Board of Education meeting, parents described recent on-campus medical emergencies and urged the district to review concussion and emergency-response protocols.

The parents said the incidents involved high-school and middle-school athletes. Tiffany Kirkpatrick, introducing herself as a Dixon High School parent, said a 15-year-old football player suffered breathing problems in the school weight room in October; she said the player’s mother called 911 only after finding her son “purple,” and that the player later died. Kirkpatrick told the board that school staff discouraged players and parents from discussing the incident publicly and that the player was not honored at team events. “The team chaplain wasn't notified to come in and speak with the players,” she said.

Kirkpatrick raised additional concerns about on-site medical staffing, saying athletic trainers and first responders working with the team were underpaid and “not very well trained.” She said her own son was placed on concussion protocol without paperwork or parent notification and was sent home to drive himself; she said she later filed a HIPAA complaint after learning her child had been discussed with other parents. “They put a shoe on them and sent them home,” she said of another student sent home with multiple fractures. She also said at least one player remained on a field for “over 35 minutes” before an ambulance arrived and that parents sometimes had to drive injured children to the hospital themselves.

Donovan Hatch, identifying himself as a parent, said his son “almost died” after a concussion and that school protocols were not followed. Hatch said he has contacted board members and has not received follow-up. “None of you guys have reached out to say anything,” he said, adding that he fears being dismissed because of his tone. He said he recorded a nurse allegedly “blatantly and belligerently” lying about the care provided and that he plans to contact the state nursing board.

Speakers made several specific requests: that concussion protocol be enforced and documented to parents; that qualified medical staff be present for contact sports; that the district ensure ambulances or timely emergency response at events; and that the district improve transparency and follow-up with families after serious incidents. Board members did not make a formal motion or announce immediate policy changes during the meeting. Several speakers said they had filed complaints (including HIPAA complaints) and asked the board to investigate and respond.

Because the comments were part of the public-comment portion of the meeting, no formal board action was recorded on the record. Parents and other speakers said they will continue to seek follow-up from district administrators and, where applicable, outside licensing bodies.