HARRIS COUNTY, Texas- More parents are speaking up about bullied children in Klein ISD just weeks after a Spring family sued the district over the same issue.
Eight parents of students at Lemm Elementary School brainstormed ways to pressure school leaders into addressing concerns about bullies.
“My bullying issue for my son is not nearly as severe as a lot of these other parents,” Angela McLoone said. “But, it’s become clear it’s just not taken seriously.”
Hurricane Harvey flooded the school building. So, Klein ISD bused students to the Klein Cain. For some students, the bus ride takes 45 minutes, parents said.
The first week of school, McLoone’s kindergartener said a first-grader punched him in the stomach on their bus ride home. McLoone complained to the principal. However, she claims that principal did nothing except blame her son for not telling a teacher.
“It’s awful,” McLoone said. “I expect them to keep (my son) mentally, physically and emotionally healthy. When I realized I couldn’t count on that, it’s heartbreaking."
Others shared similar stories during Tuesday’s meeting in McLoone’s home. Some said Lemm Elementary administrators do not communicate or respond well to cries for help. School leaders did organize a town hall Thursday. However, that is designed to provide parents an update on restoration work being done at their flood damaged building.
A district spokesperson responded to complaints about the way administrators handle bullies in a statement.
“The principal has been as forthcoming as possible, but is not allowed to divulge information regarding other students’ discipline,” Judy Rimato, spokesperson for Klein ISD said. “This often leads to frustration on the part of parents."
