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Parent tells board her autistic son was repeatedly mistreated at Marshall School; district investigator found 'insufficient evidence'
Summary
A parent told the San Bernardino school board that her autistic son endured repeated harassment, alleged physical pulling and punitive chores at Marshall Elementary; she said local investigators found insufficient evidence and urged district oversight and site visits.
A parent of a Marshall Elementary student accused a classroom teacher of repeated mistreatment and physical contact and told the San Bernardino City Unified School District board she has been repeatedly ignored by school administrators and investigators.
"My son is autistic and he has ADHD. Since my son was in third grade... she has been harassing my son," Eva Flores told the board during the public comment period. Flores said she filed reports with school administrators and with the district investigator but that investigators concluded there was insufficient evidence.
Flores described multiple incidents that she said continued despite her complaints: she said the teacher yelled at her son over minor incidents, removed his hoodie and pulled his hair, mocked him and required him to carry chairs and wash dishes for hours — an activity she said left the child with burned hands. "They covered each other's backs without considering the feelings of my son," she told the board.
Flores said the principal and assistant principal (identified in her remarks by name) did not resolve her concerns and that other families were reluctant to come forward. She requested that the district visit Marshall School to review supervision and staff practices and ensure special-education students receive services in accordance with their IEPs.
What the district said: During the meeting officials acknowledged the comment and the board’s public-record process but did not discuss investigative details in open session; the transcript shows the district's investigator told Flores that no sufficient evidence was found, per Flores's remarks. Board policy limits public board discussion of personnel or student disciplinary matters that are not on the agenda.
Why it matters: Allegations involving special-education students and recurring complaints about staff response raise questions for district oversight, IEP implementation and the functioning of complaint and investigation processes. Parents and board members asked for follow-up; the parent specifically asked for school visits and additional district supervision.
Next steps: The board did not act on Flores’s request during the meeting. Flores left contact information on her comment form; district staff said they would follow up through staff as appropriate. The parent asked the board to "please go and visit the school and supervise it — Marshall School — because... they're not doing their job." The board has not publicly released additional details of any subsequent investigation or corrective actions as of the meeting’s close.
Ending: The remark concluded the public-comment segment; board members acknowledged the comment and staff indicated they would reach out if follow-up were required.
