Student board members tell Albany board hall monitors' conduct and faulty elevator passes are disrupting learning

Student board members Carmen and Helena told the Albany City School District Board on Oct. 8 that students at Albany High School have reported multiple problems with hall monitors and with elevator passes needed under Section 504 plans.

Carmen said students reported hall monitors asking for personal social-media accounts, selectively enforcing phone rules, allowing some students to bypass checks and showing favoritism toward particular students. Helena said some students reported being asked to pull down belts and felt they were touched inappropriately during searches; the student speakers delivered several anonymous statements gathered from peers.

On elevator access, the students said numerous elevator passes issued to students with mobility needs were not working or had been demagnetized, forcing some students to wait for a hall monitor or arrive late to class. One student with a knee injury and another with arthritis who uses a mobility wheelchair were described as repeatedly unable to use the elevator; Helena said one student’s father had discussed pursuing legal action. The students asked the board to ensure issued passes work and that pass distribution is consistent so students with mobility needs are not delayed.

Board president Shirda Chatur responded that students should first raise building-level concerns with their principal and follow the chain of command to assistant superintendent or superintendent before bringing items to the board, and she said the district would investigate the reports.

The board did not take immediate action at the meeting, but the complaint includes potential implications for 504 accommodations and access that the board said it would review with staff.