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Parent alleges special‑education aide bullied her son; board told administrators have opened an investigation
Summary
A Madison parent accused a special‑education aide—named in public comment—of singling out her child in the cafeteria and said administrators have been notified and an investigation has begun; the parent urged the board to terminate the aide.
Catherine Waitman, a parent who identified herself during public comment, told the board she has six children in the district and alleged that a special‑education aide, Rachel Owens, subjected her youngest child to psychological and verbal bullying during breakfast. "During breakfast, she not only singled him out...made him cry...but also made a point to take the child away from the table that was with him," Waitman said. She said the incident was captured on videotape and asked the board to remove Owens from employment at Madison Middle School.
Waitman said administrators (she named Mister Peterson and Mister Nelson) have been informed and that an investigation has begun. "Mister Peterson and Mister Nelson have been very informed. They have contacted me. An investigation has begun," she told the board.
Board members acknowledged the comment; the meeting record shows the parent’s allegation and the administrators’ reported contact and investigation, but no disciplinary outcome or board action was announced at the meeting. The board’s superintendent previously noted that building administrators investigate reports and that the district aims to address bullying through education and follow‑up. The parent urged the board to take thorough action to ensure students are protected while the investigation proceeds.
The board did not vote on personnel discipline during the open meeting; the matter was described as under investigation.
