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Parents, survivors press Montgomery County school board for accountability after March 27 bus crash
Summary
Public commenters at the Montgomery County school board meeting urged the board to cover medical costs for children injured in the March 27 bus crash, called for leadership changes, and asked the board to be more transparent about safety and investigations.
Public commenters at a Montgomery County Board of Education meeting on public comment night urged the board to take immediate action after a March 27 bus crash and to provide both accountability and financial relief for injured students.
Xavier Lugo told the board that “on 03/27/2026, CMCSS has assumed that responsibility the moment those kids step into school and onto that bus,” and urged the district to “transfer $2,000,000 from the general fund into a dedicated relief fund for all the affected children.” Selaney, a 14-year-old who identified herself as a survivor of the crash, said she has attended “over 50 appointments” since the accident and told the board, “When will you start serving the people and not the system?” She added that her medical bills “reach over $200,000.”
Several speakers linked the crash-related concerns to broader questions about district leadership and transparency. Ashley Everthorpe said recent events — including an indictment and arrest of a former teacher — have “shattered the public’s trust” and said “a technical recusal is not enough,” calling for “immediate resignation of Dr. Jean Luna Vedder.” Adam Elator and other commenters urged the board to strengthen reporting procedures and review safety protocols and said silence from officials has eroded trust.
Board legal counsel responded to a separate procedural question by citing Tennessee’s open-meetings law (Tenn. Code Ann. §8-44-102), saying that receiving information from constituents without deliberation does not violate the statute. The board did not take a formal vote on personnel removal or on Lugo’s proposed relief fund during the meeting.
The meeting record shows the board approved routine consent items and other agenda business later in the session and adjourned without a vote on any removal or special relief fund request. Several public commenters said they will continue pressing the board for specific policy changes and financial support for injured students.
