Parents urge Rockdale County board to act after sixth-grade student’s death, allege bullying across schools
Summary
Several parents told the Rockdale County Board of Education they are grieving and want systemic change after the death of Edwards Middle School sixth-grader Brandon Pena Vargas, alleging bullying by students and, in some cases, staff and citing failures in communication, registration and follow-up.
Chairwoman Jackson Lett opened the Rockdale County Board of Education work session with a moment of silence for Edwards Middle School sixth-grader Brandon Pena Vargas and Cathy Hall, a longtime district bus driver. During the public-comment period, parents and advocates urged the board to respond to what they described as systemic failures that left students unprotected.
Barbie Hines, chair of the Pine Tree Elementary Parent Policy Council, told the board she has spoken with families from Edwards, Heritage, Rockdale County High, JH House and other schools who report repeated bullying and, in several cases, disrespectful or abusive behavior by staff. "Children do not feel fully protected, and their concerns are not being heard," Hines said, adding parents reported ignored medical absences, mistakes that led to children being placed in the wrong grade, and incidents on buses.
Hines said these were patterns seen across multiple campuses, not isolated events, and described delays in approving individualized education program (IEP) accommodations for her own daughter with high functional autism. "We agreed as parents and signed everything and waited," Hines said, adding that she was told the staff member responsible was on leave and that the family was still waiting for follow-up.
Anthony Garcia Pacheco, a community advocate representing families in Sunrise and Lakeview Estates, reiterated calls for districtwide action. He asked the board to implement stronger communication standards, require staff training on respectful engagement with parents, strengthen accountability procedures for staff and students when misconduct is alleged, improve registration and record management practices, and increase supervision on buses.
Board members did not take immediate policy votes during the public-comment period. Superintendent Chesser and board members acknowledged the comments later in the meeting and invited community members to a district forum scheduled for next Tuesday to provide further input.
The public comments did not include administrative responses that resolved the specific allegations; parents said many remain concerned and expect follow-up from the district.
