T. DeLoach described a recent incident between a scholar and a staff member at the Ottiwell campus. 

T. DeLoach stated that she knew the details of the incident both from Ms. Ouimet's account and from the video footage available from the school. 

T. DeLoach stated that an investigation was done regarding the incident to determine appropriate next steps. 

T. DeLoach stated that N. Ouimet provided the relevant staff member with a verbal warning prior to the end of the day of the incident. 

The following day, the parent met with members of the Ottiwell Leadership regarding the incident. A safety plan was put in place for the scholar. 

M. Bride asked about the content of the post on facebook. T. DeLoach responded with a description of the facebook post. 

T. DeLoach described the various types of posts that the parent has made on facebook regarding the incident. 

M. Bride asked if it was typical that Principals would handle this type of situation. T. DeLoach responded that yes, that is typical. 

C. Bator asked about the content of the police report and the content of the video and asked whether the Board should see the content.

E. Darrow responded with information regarding the ability of the school to respond publically to the facebook post. E. Darrow described the ways in which Alma could possibly have access to the police report and the ways in which the video could become public. 

C. Bator asked about the training and staff policies regarding teachers putting hands on students. T. DeLoach responded describing Alma's policies. 

J. Baptist asked how long the teacher had been with Alma. T. DeLoach responded that it was this teachers' first year at Alma. 

C. Bator asked how the decision was made to provide a written warning to the staff member. 

T. DeLoach described how the decision was made. 

E. Darrow added additional context that the school could be at risk if we terminated the employee based on this incident. 

J. Baptist asked if the parent was interested in mediation and T. DeLoach responded that the parent is not currently interested in that. 

M. Bride asked if the abuse that the parent reported in the past happened at Alma. T. DeLoach responded that it was not at Alma. 

M. Bride asked if this was a new family to Alma. T. DeLoach responded that yes, this is a new family to Alma. E. Darrow added that the grandmother of the student is a founding staff member at Alma. 

G. Fortes asked if DESE had specific protocols of how schools should handle situations where a teacher puts hands on a student.  T. DeLoach responded that yes, DESE has required protocols and Alma must follow those protocols. 

G. Fortes noted a difference between the written and verbal warning. 

G. Fortes advocated that the Board reconsider their response to issues like this in the future. 

J. Baptist stated that T. DeLoach would call Trustees that were unable to attend today's meeting. 

J. Baptist stated the Board needs to have a conversation about how they respond to parent concerns. 

J. Baptist stated that depending on the legal ramifications, the Board and the parent may or may not be able to view the video.