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Parent alleges injuries to disabled student and staff urge transparency after principal non-renewal
Summary
At public forum a parent said her nonverbal first-grade daughter returned from school with scratches and bruises and asked the board to consider staff dress or nail policies; teachers also criticized the non-renewal of Washington Elementary's principal and urged better communication and support.
During public comment at the April 28 School City of East Chicago board meeting, Stacy Garcia said her nonverbal first-grade daughter at Lincoln Elementary returned home with scratches on her private area on Feb. 19 and later had bruises on her neck on March 10. Garcia said paraprofessionals who wear false fingernails might be unintentionally harming students and asked whether a dress-code policy could address the issue.
"My daughter is disabled. She has Down syndrome and is nonverbal. She came home with scratches on her private area," Garcia said. The meeting chair offered to follow up after the meeting and directed staff to ensure appropriate individuals are informed.
In a separate public comment, Jocelyn Williams, a staff member, said Washington Elementary staff and families feel blindsided by the district's decision not to renew principal Andrea Hogan and urged greater transparency. She described the principal as a local product who had long advocated for staff and students and said staff were not included in discussions about building-level changes.
Board members acknowledged the comments and said they would follow up with staff and the parent. The board limited public comments to three minutes and asked speakers to coordinate with administration for follow-up and, where appropriate, personnel or safety matters to be addressed off the public record.
