Parent tells school board her child’s safety plan was violated; seeks recall information

Sierra Rivera, who identified herself as a parent and gave an address during public comment, told the Kiona-Benton City School District board that her 6-year-old first grader — who is on a 504 plan — has had his safety plan violated multiple times while at school. "He has a safety plan in place... They have been violated by your school district, by your principal, and by your superintendent," Rivera said, and added there is video evidence of staff placing "hands on him, choked in the lunchroom where it's on video 3 times."

Rivera said she has tried to reach district staff by email and voicemail and that the superintendent and principal had been 'responsive' in other matters but that she had not received a response from the district officer she tried to contact. She told the board she wants to know what steps follow when a safety plan is violated and asked how to begin a recall of the superintendent, calling that person the district's highest-paid employee and saying parents wanted action. "I feel like you guys are dishing out. He's the highest paid employee in Benton City School District, and he does not do 1 thing, not for our students," she said.

The board did not take public action on Rivera's requests during the meeting. The chair reminded commenters that the board follows public comment rules and will not discuss items not on the agenda, and said the board could direct the superintendent to follow up on items raised in public comment as appropriate. Rivera’s allegations were not debated on the record during the meeting and remain unresolved pending any follow-up the board or superintendent undertakes.