Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents and youth leaders press MMSD on school safety after violent incidents and alleged misconduct
Summary
Multiple speakers described violent incidents and alleged misconduct at several schools, including a severe assault at Madison West High and alleged abuse and failures of response at White Horse Middle School. Speakers asked the board for transparency, investigations and better support for students with disabilities.
Several parents, students and community youth advocates addressed the Madison Metropolitan School District Board Oct. 27 with urgent concerns about safety and alleged misconduct at area schools.
Ray Mendez described a widely circulated video of a severe assault at Madison West High School and called the incident "an attempted murder" in schools, urging accountability and stronger leadership from principals and the district. "Think about the lives ruined," Mendez said, and criticized district communications as "PR" while violence escalates.
Parents and advocates also raised allegations about incidents at White Horse Middle School, including claims of sexual and physical abuse of students and insufficient responses by school staff. One mother who identified herself as deaf and the parent of an affected child said she felt not believed and described the experience as "heartbreaking." She asked the district to ensure disability students are protected and to investigate the school's handling of the case.
Youth advocate Asiana (Adrianna) Alexander read statements from current and former students describing repeated reports of staff and security misconduct at White Horse. "This school has been known for violence," Alexander said, and read testimony alleging that school staff failed to act and that students experienced trauma.
Board members acknowledged the testimony and the superintendent said the district had posted a public statement and would continue to work with law enforcement and partner agencies. The superintendent emphasized the district's public statement and the commitment to ensuring safe school environments for all students.
Speakers asked the board for transparency, timely investigations, better training for staff and police partnership improvements at hot-spot locations such as bus stops and parking lots. Several called on journalists and attorneys to "follow the money" and examine possible cover-ups while requesting the district make evidence and investigative steps available to families.
The board did not take a formal vote on these public-safety concerns that night but acknowledged them and said staff would continue work on safety, investigations and communications with families.
