Parent says son punished after being attacked; board speaker and superintendent offer follow-up

A Leon County parent told the school board on May 13 that her son, an eighth-grade student, was physically attacked on April 10, that a school investigation found he was not the aggressor, but that he was later suspended for three days and removed from an eighth-grade field trip.

Kimmy Johnson, who identified herself and gave her address for the record, described trying informal and formal channels to get the district’s attention. “This isn’t just about my son anymore,” Johnson said. She said she filed a formal letter with the district on April 22, followed up with the superintendent’s office on April 29 and left a message for a board member on May 6 but said she received no response.

Johnson asked the board to review her son’s case, issue a full refund for the field trip (she reported receiving $103 of the $265 paid), reevaluate disciplinary policies that penalize students who defend themselves, and ensure timely, respectful responses to parents.

The superintendent, who identified himself as Superintendent Hannah, told the meeting he would visit Sale during students’ lunch period the next day and invited students to meet him; he said he would bring pizza to facilitate conversation and follow-up.

Two other Sale community members — student Isabella Orfern Leedy and parent Patricia Leedy (same household address as Isabella) — also spoke in support of greater attention to safety and communication; Isabella asked that board staff follow up and noted a packet of concerns had been provided to board members.

No board vote was taken; the superintendent committed to an in-person follow-up with students at Sale.