Parents, students and community members press Washington County school board on seclusion, alleged retaliation, inclusivity and school lunches

Several public commenters at the Washington County Public Schools Board of Education meeting on Jan. 21 urged the board to address what they described as ongoing failures in student treatment, inclusivity and school meals.

Christina Parkman, a parent, told the board her son — whom she identified as a 12‑year‑old student with autism — was repeatedly placed in what she described as a small, windowless room at Western Heights Middle School and that school staff later labeled the room “ISS.” Parkman said she documented the room with photographs and that an individualized education program team told her on Oct. 17 that her son should no longer be placed there. She alleged her son was secluded from September until that October meeting, was suspended more than 10 times, and that an alleged restraint and a threat assessment followed. Parkman said a state complaint had been filed and that district staff member Melissa Brunson had told her in a Jan. 2 email that Brunson had attempted to contact Parkman in the prior summer; Parkman disputed that account and said she had been raising concerns with the district since 2021.

Parkman also said her younger son, who plays for Clear Spring High (while attending a technical high school), has experienced limited playing time this winter that she believes amounts to retaliation connected to her complaints about the other child’s treatment. Parkman said she had raised the playing‑time concern with the athletic director and at an IEP meeting in December.

The board did not announce any immediate action in response to Parkman’s comments during the meeting.

Mike Porter, another public commenter, criticized district practices he described as “transitioning children” and assailed what he called “experimental surgery” and “hormone therapy,” language he used to object to gender‑identity supports in schools. Porter also said a county employee had deleted his posts from the district Facebook page and announced an intention to pursue litigation; he characterized another commenter — a person in a costume at the meeting — as a lawyer, not the costume character. Porter’s remarks included profanity and strongly worded assertions. The board did not take action on the speech and offered no enforcement response during the meeting.

Ethan Loewen urged the board to provide direct, unambiguous answers to parents’ questions about district practices. Loewen said he believes district officials and a teachers‑union representative used evasive language at a prior meeting and called for clear corrections and public clarification.

Torin Milot, a student leader and co‑chair of the Hagerstown Youth Council who also identified himself as a Washington County Association of Student Councils member and a Maryland Association of Student Councils workshop presenter, called for more inclusive school climates. Milot told the board that “saying all are welcome is simply not enough” and urged stronger staff training, curriculum attention and visible supports to reduce slurs and harassment.

Emily Agresto, a Boonsboro High School junior, spoke about school meals. Agresto said many lunches are frozen meals that are heated and served, and she quoted students she had interviewed describing food items as “soggy, cold, flavorless, spoiled” or “slimy.” She gave student‑reported examples including chicken nuggets served with whole‑grain goldfish crackers and grape juice, and mozzarella sticks with chocolate milk. Agresto urged the board to prioritize nutritional quality, saying poor lunches affect energy, health and learning.

Board members acknowledged the comments during the public‑comment period but did not announce specific follow‑up actions in the meeting record. Several board members later thanked speakers for bringing concerns to the board and noted staff follow‑up would occur through existing administrative channels.

Parkman and other speakers referenced district processes, IEP meetings and a state complaint to the Maryland State Department of Education. The board meeting record for Jan. 21 shows no vote, directive or formal motion recorded in public session that resolved the allegations raised; any personnel, disciplinary or code‑of‑conduct investigations would take place under district procedures outside the public business meeting.

The board’s superintendent delivered a routine report later in the meeting; the report did not include public details about an ongoing complaint referenced by Parkman.