Parents, staff raise safety concerns for special‑needs students on buses and at Triadelphia Ridge regional program

Several parents, a trauma nurse and other community members used the public‑comment period on April 29 to urge Howard County Public School System to improve safety and staffing for some special‑education settings and school buses.

Yi Han, who identified himself as a resident, said an 18‑year‑old bus aide assigned to a regional program was charged after video footage showed inappropriate touching of a non‑verbal student; Han urged the board to adopt new policies and stronger supervision on buses for students with special needs. He cited national incidents in several jurisdictions to argue that vulnerable, non‑verbal students are at elevated risk when bus supervision is insufficient.

Rebecca Madue (identified as a trauma nurse at R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center and a parent) told the board she has become increasingly concerned about exposure of young elementary students to frequent crisis events at a Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School classroom that houses a regional program. Madue said kindergarten and first‑grade students “can hear a crisis event happening” in nearby rooms and that repeated exposure to severe behavioral events can cause anxiety in younger students; she asked the district to relocate the regional class to another available room before the fall 2025 semester.

Ada Clement, a parent of a neurodivergent sixth‑grader, echoed calls for more special‑education funding and a district review of recruitment, retention and supports for special educators. She and other parents said the regional program lacks a dedicated safe space and that students in crisis are sometimes among the general population, leading to hallway lockdowns.

Separately, public commenter Ryan Powers cited public‑records figures he obtained that showed multiple staff and student attacks at Triadelphia Ridge (TRESS) and asked the board for dedicated behavioral intervention specialists and more adult supervision at schools serving regional programs. Powers said teachers sought medical treatment for injuries and described classroom clearings and daily crisis events.

Board and staff responses in the meeting focused on listening to the concerns and noting the requests. The district did not vote on a relocation or immediate staffing change during the meeting; several trustees asked staff to follow up with school‑level leaders and provide the board with a written update and data, and some asked speakers to submit their testimony by email.

Ending: Parents and staff requested specific, near‑term changes — relocation of a regional classroom at Triadelphia Ridge prior to fall 2025 and additional behavioral/supervisory staffing on buses and in regional sites — and the superintendent and staff said they would review the requests and return with follow‑up information.