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Parent reports 5-year-old left classroom unnoticed; requests cameras, staffing and elopement policy
Summary
A Woods Learning Center parent said her 5-year-old kindergartener exited the building unnoticed and was found by a passing driver; she urged the district to increase supervision, expand camera coverage, create an elopement prevention policy and train staff.
At the Nov. 24 Natrona County School District #1 board meeting, Olivia Walter described a safety incident she said occurred on Nov. 10 in which her 5-year-old kindergartener at Woods Learning Center left class unnoticed, exited the front entrance, and walked to Walsh Drive where a passing driver found her.
Walter said the child put on a jacket and backpack and left during class time without staff noticing, and she called on the district to take immediate corrective steps: adequate staffing and supervision throughout the school day, expanded security camera coverage for buildings and entrances, an elopement prevention and response policy, and staff training on recognizing and preventing elopement and other high-risk behavior. “This was an extremely dangerous situation that could have resulted in severe and irreversible harm,” Walter said.
Board members acknowledged the report. Trustee 20 (name recorded as a trustee speaker) said he was thankful the child was safe and encouraged the administration to consider the ideas presented. No district administrator presented a policy change or timeline at the meeting.
The public comment placed the incident on the board’s public record and included a list of concrete requests from a parent seeking immediate steps to prevent a recurrence. The board did not announce any immediate policy actions during the session.
