Roberts Elementary student council members opened the Fond du Lac School District Board meeting on Nov. 11 with the Pledge of Allegiance and a presentation on student activities, including a Nov. 21 "Donuts with Grown‑Ups" event, the Penny Wars fundraiser (more than $2,000 raised for Sandy Paws), May Day baskets and Secret Santa deliveries, and an upcoming Veterans Day assembly.

During the public‑comment period that followed, Sarah Ballins of 355 E. 10th St. told the board she has repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of her special‑needs child. Ballins said she had been told the district would use a buddy system for evacuation but that the fire department’s information did not match the district’s records. "I can't prove that you guys are lying to me or that the fire department is lying to me, but I can prove that one of you is," she said, and asked the board to ensure that all students — including those who use adaptive equipment and are 'strapped to a board' during the day — would be safe in emergencies.

Board members did not dispute the comment during that public‑comment period; the district’s presentation later in the evening emphasized programs and supports (for example, Fondy Cares and school counseling initiatives) but did not provide an immediate operational resolution to Ballins’s specific interagency documentation concern.

What happens next: The board and staff did not announce a formal follow‑up during the meeting. Board members and staff have previously discussed safety and programmatic supports at other meetings; families seeking a direct operational response should contact district administration to request a staff review or written clarification about evacuation protocols for students with specialized needs.