Parents press Chariho committee over student assault, behavior‑code transparency and appeals process
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Summary
Three public commenters urged the committee to address an alleged student assault, questioned behavior‑code review and documentation, and raised concern about recent senior administrator departures; the superintendent committed to individual follow‑ups and to share appeals policy with the speakers.
Three community members used public comment time to press the Chariho Regional School District for clearer procedures and follow‑up on student safety and staff retention.
Amy St. Pierre of Hopkinton described an assault on her daughter on Nov. 25, said Richmond police charged the other student with simple assault and battery after later witness interviews, and said an earlier dance incident appears in the police report. St. Pierre said she had requested multiple meetings, had not yet had a face‑to‑face meeting with the superintendent after repeated attempts, and told the committee, "I want action, not words," urging a safety plan that protects her daughter without implying the victim was at fault.
Superintendent Piccard asked to meet with St. Pierre and said the district would provide the appeals policy and discuss next steps in a one‑on‑one meeting, while noting that some details must remain confidential because of student privacy rules.
Tim St. Pierre (Hopkinton) raised concerns that the district’s behavior code page lacks updated revision dates on the website and asked for the legal references (RIGL) that frame school discipline. Piccard read the district policy language into the record and explained that the code is reviewed with faculty input, amended periodically by administration, and approved by the school committee; she also said the principal typically leads investigations and that parents may appeal which would then involve central administration.
Chris Kona (Richmond) expressed concern about the district's recent turnover among senior administrators and said departing leaders had cited misalignment with committee decisions; Kona asked the committee to prioritize retention and to consider how committee action affects staff morale and recruitment.
Responses and next steps: the superintendent and administration committed to meeting privately with St. Pierre, to send the appeals policy and to involve legal counsel in a public policy meeting to walk through how discipline, investigations and appeals work while protecting student confidentiality. Committee members acknowledged the need for clear public documentation on policy review timelines and website navigation.
