Parent tells Tri‑Creek board her daughter’s severe peanut allergy leaves her isolated at lunch

A parent identified in the meeting as Helen told the Tri‑Creek School Corporation Board on Aug. 14 that her third‑grade child at Oak Hill Elementary is severely anaphylactic and has been required to sit at a designated “peanut table,” which the parent said has left the child isolated and unwilling to attend school on days she must sit alone. “My child has a peanut allergy… She’s very aware. She will teach adults how to read labels,” Helen said, and later added that “for 2 days now, my child has come home not eating because she’s sitting isolated.”

Board members and staff acknowledged the concern and agreed to follow up. Superintendent Anderson (Speaker 3) and other board members told Helen they would have the principal reach out and address the situation. Board chair (Speaker 1) asked the parent to make sure contact information was provided so staff could follow up directly.

The parent suggested a buddy system or other classroom accommodation and said she would consider a waiver if that would allow her child to sit with friends. District representatives did not commit to a specific policy change during the public comment period but said they would investigate and get back to the family.

The matter was raised while the board was discussing the student handbook; later in the meeting the board approved an updated student‑parent handbook by voice vote. The board indicated they would pursue operational changes at Oak Hill Elementary to address the family’s concern as part of routine follow‑up.