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Parent says school staff grabbed her 6‑year‑old at South Elementary; board urged to act
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Summary
During public comment a parent, April Harris, told the Caswell County Board of Education that a staff member grabbed her 6‑year‑old daughter at a bus line and that school leaders have not remedied the reported incident; she said video evidence exists and asked the board to take action.
April Harris told the Caswell County Board of Education that her daughter, then 6, was grabbed by a staff member while walking to the bus at South Elementary and that the incident was captured on video.
"My daughter was assaulted. Physically, it's on video," Harris said during the board's public‑comment period, adding she had shared the footage with district administrators and had been told not to bring the matter before the board. Harris said she had contacted the principal and superintendent and that, in her view, the principal did not follow through on reviewing the tape or addressing the staff member’s behavior.
Board members asked whether Harris had been advised of the district’s grievance process; Harris said she had. A board member confirmed staff had informed her about the grievance steps but also pressed for clarity on whether the board had received follow‑up from administrators about the matter.
Other public commenters who identified themselves as family members echoed concerns about handling of student contact, saying the district’s own guidelines advise staff not to touch students. Speakers urged the board to ensure the principal and other administrators had reviewed video evidence and taken appropriate steps.
The superintendent and staff acknowledged receiving reports and described the grievance process and internal review mechanisms the district uses; they did not announce a public outcome during the meeting. The board did not take formal disciplinary action at the meeting and moved on to the posted agenda after public comment.
The board chair said the grievance process is the avenue for administrative review and that the board would expect staff to report back if further procedural steps or formal outcomes were reached. Harris asked the board to pursue additional action and expressed ongoing concern for her daughter's safety.
The board did not schedule a separate hearing on the item during the meeting; it is unclear from the transcript whether the district will publicly post any subsequent findings. The transcript indicates Harris had provided the video to district officials and had spoken with the superintendent prior to the meeting.
