Parent, former student say detention practice at Eagles Nest prompted investigation; district says probe underway

A parent and a former student told the School District of the City of Erie Board of Directors on April 9 about an alleged disciplinary practice at Eagles Nest that they said involved students doing extended wall sits while holding books during lunch detention.

A student who identified herself as a former Eagles Nest attendee described the detention: she said staff ordered students to perform wall sits while holding books and that students were made to lower their bodies when instructed; she said the practice caused pain for students in the room. The student said she endured the exercise after finishing her lunch.

The student’s mother said the detention differed from typical practices and described her child being made to “squat against the wall with 9 52‑page books in each hand for about 20 minutes during lunch detention.” She said she was not notified and that the staff supervising were not certified teachers but Eagles Nest staff working under a partnership with the district. She said she made the incident public online and, she said, district administrators subsequently asked her to remove her children from the program.

District officials responded during the meeting. Superintendent Pulido said the matter is “an ongoing investigation. We are actively looking into it.” He said a school advocate, Mr. Brockman, had been asked to attend a meeting with Eagles Nest and district staff as part of the inquiry and that administration would work to “make sure we have a good resolution.” The board did not take formal action on the allegation during the April 9 meeting.

The board and administration declined to provide additional details at the meeting, citing the active investigation. No disciplinary outcomes or personnel actions were announced publicly at the session.