Parents and union leaders tell Franklin Pierce board Midland support center is understaffed and unsafe

Parents, teachers and the Franklin Pierce Education Association told the School Board that safety and staffing shortfalls in Midland Elementary's intermediate support center have led to repeated student and staff injuries.

TJ Johnson, president of the Franklin Pierce Education Association, read a caregiver statement reporting that seven paraprofessionals resigned and ten replacements were hired in the prior 30 days and urged the board to address resource gaps in the support center that serves students with high needs. "It has become evident that the school lacks in the set necessary resources to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for these vulnerable students," Johnson said in remarks submitted to the board.

Annaliza Kellogg, Midland music teacher and FPEA executive board member, described multiple documented incidents and a staff shortage that makes it difficult to get substitutes. Kellogg said administrators and the classroom teacher have taken steps to protect other students but that agreed supports were not in place when a student returned to the classroom; within an hour, she said, "an adult was sent to urgent care with a possible concussion, and two students were assaulted." Kellogg asked when the district will ensure the safety plan is fulfilled and what interim steps will protect students and staff.

Parent commenter Justin Romano described repeated physical assaults on his second‑grade daughter in the resource/support center and urged the district to hire more paraprofessionals quickly to provide supervision. Romano asked the board to prioritize classroom staffing so teachers can teach while paraprofessionals supervise students with higher physical‑support needs.

Board members acknowledged the comments and reminded the public that employee performance complaints must be submitted in writing or handled in executive session; the board adjourned to executive session later in the meeting to discuss a staff performance matter. Directors invited commenters to submit additional documentation and said staff would follow up through the superintendent's office to address safety and staffing questions.

The public record from the meeting shows multiple requests for the district to confirm whether the agreed supports were implemented and for a clearer timeline on corrective steps; the board did not vote on operational staffing changes during the open meeting.