Parents press EMS ISD board on safety, transfers and staffing after fights and alleged BB‑gun incident

Three parents used public comment time at the Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw ISD board meeting to press trustees on school safety and what they called the strain created by open enrollment and transfers.

Erin Rhodes, a long‑time PTA volunteer, told the board she and district employees are concerned about staffing and student behavior: “I feel, bear with me, that some of the board might be out of touch with reality when it comes to what is going on in your schools,” she said, describing multiple recent fights at Boswell High School and saying administrators should spend more time on campus to see conditions firsthand.

Brady Rhodes, who described a recent hallway incident that left blood on a school hallway, appealed for clearer, enforceable consequences and for teachers to be given the resources and authority to manage student behavior. “My hope from my message tonight is that...the teachers in this district are given the power and the resources needed,” he said.

Cassandra Olson said she was told by EMS ISD police that an investigation concluded a student brought a BB gun onto Eagle Mountain High School in November and that the student remained on campus; she said her son experienced survivor trauma and that she received no follow‑up after email and phone contact. “EMS ISD police investigated and reported their conclusion to me in November that a student did bring a BB gun onto campus,” Olson said. She urged the board to prioritize local students if transfers allow out‑of‑district students to compete in activities and take class seats.

Board members did not take action during public comment but acknowledged the concerns and noted administrative follow‑up would occur through staff and security channels. Trustees repeatedly emphasized they cannot comment on individual student disciplinary matters during public comment because of privacy rules but directed staff to bring factual follow‑up where appropriate.