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Parents press West Allis‑West Milwaukee board for clearer suicide‑prevention steps after student’s death
Summary
Multiple parents and a retired educator urged the board to outline concrete protocols — staff training, family communication, interventions and apologies for perceived mishandling — after a student’s death and reported failures in school and investigative responses.
Several parents and a retired teacher used the public‑comment period to press the West Allis‑West Milwaukee School Board for clearer suicide‑prevention protocols and better support for students following a recent student tragedy.
Julie Elghetti (224 S. 74th St.) asked the board to be transparent about what specific steps and protocols the district will implement to better identify and support students who may be struggling with mental‑health challenges or suicidal thoughts. "Will there be additional staff training, improved communication with families, stronger intervention procedures, increased mental health resources? Our community deserves to know what is being done to prevent future tragedies," she said.
Julie also asked the district to acknowledge how Sage's aunt and other family members were treated during the crisis and to offer an apology. Morgan Elghetti, speaking on behalf of her daughter, recounted that flyers about the missing student were torn down at school and criticized aspects of the investigative response, saying "The detective that was on Sage's case was careless and didn't even know the number to the suicide hotline." Morgan urged the district to "take care of the students" and to ensure they have ongoing conversations about depression, anxiety and panic attacks.
Retired educator Jeanne Engelkmeyer echoed those requests and said longstanding classroom experience shows some students mask struggles; she offered community support and urged the district to strengthen follow‑up and personal connections with students.
No formal policy vote on suicide‑prevention was taken at the meeting. Speakers requested clearer protocols, public acknowledgement of past shortcomings, and additional mental‑health resources; the superintendent indicated follow‑up can be provided at a subsequent meeting.
