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Parent tells Central SD 13J board allegations of retaliation, says district has ignored complaints
Summary
A parent told the Central SD 13J school board during public comment that the district has failed to respond to repeated complaints, alleged retaliation against students and families, and called on the board to hold leadership accountable.
Courtney Azor, a parent of three students at Independence Elementary School, used the public-comment period at the Central School District 13J board meeting on May 5 to deliver a lengthy criticism of district response to her family's complaints.
Azor said the district’s stated values and website language about inclusion and family engagement do not reflect her experience. "You plant fear," she said, adding that the district had "repeatedly failed, physically harmed, disregarded, and retaliated against" her child. She told the board her reports and documentation were not addressed and that an investigation she cited was deemed "unfounded" despite her submitting what she described as overwhelming documentation.
"Silence is complicity," Azor said, urging trustees to stop relying on slogans and to hold leadership accountable. She asked why her repeated complaints had not received responses and said families felt unsafe and unheard.
The board did not take action during the public-comment period; board policy on personnel complaints restricts discussion of individual personnel matters in open session, and the superintendent and chair reiterated that complaints must follow the board's complaint process (policy KL) and administrative rules. Board members discussed later in the meeting the idea of reviewing the complaint process and administrative rules with new board members at an upcoming retreat so trustees and the community understand how and when the board intervenes in personnel matters.
Azor’s remarks were delivered during the designated communication/public-comment portion of the meeting; staff and trustees said they would explain the complaint policy and appropriate follow-up steps in a future meeting or retreat rather than responding to individual allegations in open session.
