Mill Creek Elementary School parents are speaking out against the so-called "isolation rooms" being used in the Independence School District. At the regular board meeting Tuesday, they presented more than 260 signatures in closed session calling for the removal of Principal Lindsey Miller.
Jodi Gentry, who has a fifth-grade son at Mill Creek, said, "I believe it starts at the leadership, at the top, and that's why we have them. It's her decision. She made them."
Roger Park tells 41 Action News that his 5-year-old daughter Serenity has been placed in the isolation room at Mill Creek more than once. Park said, "They dragged my daughter down the hallway, they restrained her, pulled her arms behind her back. They locked her in the room and shut the light off from what I understand." He says Independence police and the Children's Division of the Department of Family Services are investigating the district, noting that process should take about two weeks.
The district maintains these rooms are only used in instances that involve violence. Superintendent Doctor Dale Herl emphasized, "These are very serious behaviors which put our kids and adults in harm's way." Multiple people spoke against the use of isolation rooms at the school board meeting Tuesday, but one employee and parent of two ISD students spoke in favor of them.
Roman Davis is an intervention specialist with the district who said, "Inside the safe room there's nothing in there that they can harm themselves with. My priority when I go get a child who's in crisis is to get them to a safe place."
When it comes to Serenity, Park does not feel safe with her at Mill Creek. For now, he and his wife have taken her out of the district until police complete their investigation.
ISD says Miller is not under review and is in good standing with the district. "I believe we have some of the most caring and dedicated educators as well as administrators," Herl said.
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Dia Wall can be reached at dia.wall@kshb.com.
