Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
The Odessa School Board listens to concerns lobbied by parents at a regular meeting Wednesday, March 22.
Parent Nikki Thede of Odessa chastizes school offcials for the way her daughter has been treated in school.
ODESSA - More than 30 residents turned out to a contentious School Board meeting Wednesday night, March 22, to hear concerns over alleged mistreatment of students and bullying.
Six parents chastised the district; one teacher spoke in support of school administration.
Parent Cory Kramer said he removed his two children, including his autistic daughter, from the School District due to constant bullying by students and staff.
Kramer now drives his students 30 miles each way to attend a different school, he said.
"They came home continually complaining of being bullied by students and faculty, but these incidents have been swept under the rug," Kramer said. "I shouldn't see my autistic daughter coming home upset because kids call her names and tell her she's stupid."
"My son came home with a broken hand and was swept under the rug because of who the (perpetrator's) parent is," he added. "I would like to return them to this school, but it won't happen this year, or at least until corrections are made."
Parent Nikki Thede said her autistic daughter was rebuked for mentioning God in a classroom setting.
"My daughter mentioned God in response to an evolution lesson to a teacher, and the teacher responded that she was incorrect about God," Thede said. "If you are not an athlete or neurotypical, you will get made fun of or bullied."
Thede also alleged an incident involving pornographic pictures.
"A student sent a teacher a porn picture during school," she said. "Another student witnessed it. And the teacher just laughed and said it was no big deal."
Parent Amber Houghland said she, too, removed her children from the district after incidents
surfaced.
"My kindergartner came home and told me his teacher slapped him across the face and was separated from the class. I was never informed," Houghland said. "My oldest son has witnessed bullying toward the students with disabilities.
"It is difficult to reach out to a school for help when those you reach out to are part of the problem."
Parent Norma Harrison said she wasn't notified of several incidents involving her children, the first time in her son's nine-year stint in the district.
"There was an incident with my son where a faculty member grabbed him by his backpack. I was not notified until much later," Harrison said. "Why are parents not being informed when incidents are taking place?"
Alumni Korianne Kadrevis said the School District she grew up in here isn't the same today.
"I have a long family history of positive experiences in the Odessa School District," Kadrevis said. "A paradigm shift has occurred since I was in school and a fundamental change that needs to be handled has happened in the last few years."
A lone teacher spoke in support of the district.
"My daughter has bipolar disorder and if you have any experience, you know it is not easy to deal with," teacher Laura Caler said. "She was able to graduate through Odessa because of the support here."
"I have another daughter who struggles with anxiety and ADHD," Caler added. "She felt like she couldn't finish an assignment and I told her she was on 504 and to reach out to her teacher. They were very understanding and allowed her more time."
School Board Chairman Ed Deife criticized commenters for not following board protocol in lobbying complaints.
"Out of all of you that spoke tonight, Kerry (Scheller) is only one to have filled out a complaint form," Deife said. "We cannot handle a situation without the proper procedures."
District administrators didn't respond to the complaints Wednesday night.
The School Board went into executive session following public comment, but no action was taken.
- Reporter Ashley Parkinson contributed to this report.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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