BRENHAM ISD PARENT DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY AFTER DAUGHTER ALLEGEDLY TRIPPED BY STAFF MEMBER
Updated 2/3 to include additional statement from Brenham ISD
A parent of a student at Brenham Junior High School is accusing Brenham ISD of negligence.
Damon Martin addressed the Brenham School Board on Monday, saying he was “very disappointed” in how the school district handled a situation on November 5th where a coach allegedly intentionally tripped his daughter on the stairwell in between classes, resulting in her breaking her arm.
According to a copy of a formal incident statement submitted by Martin to police, he claimed the coach laughed after the incident and that his daughter was initially denied the ability to see a nurse. The statement said that upon visiting with a nurse, the student’s injuries were not originally believed to be serious. Additionally, Martin said his daughter did not immediately disclose that her fall was due to a staff member and not a student, because she was “afraid to ‘tell on’ a teacher.”
The student, according to the report, was still in pain upon visiting the nurse again the next morning, and a re-examination found that her arm might be broken, but an X-ray was needed to confirm. Martin said he requested that the school take her for medical evaluation and that Junior High Principal Jillian Wilke call him immediately. The nurse told Martin that she had informed Wilke of the situation, but Martin claimed that he did not receive a call back from the administration until several hours later. He also alleged that the school would not take his daughter to be examined or provide a copy of any associated report.
Upon traveling to the emergency room at Baylor Scott & White, Martin reported that X-rays determined his daughter’s right elbow was broken.
Martin, who said he has retained legal counsel, called on trustees on Monday to terminate Wilke and any others who he accused of attempting to “sweep this under the rug.”
Brenham ISD released an initial statement on Monday saying that the district investigates all allegations involving staff members, and that the employee in question with the incident “is no longer employed by the district.” The statement said, “Brenham ISD recognizes that incidents involving student injuries are deeply concerning, and the safety and well-being of our students is always the district’s highest priority.”
The district further said that it cannot comment on specific circumstances due to student privacy protections and personnel confidentiality requirements. Additionally, it said Texas law limits when public school districts may assume financial responsibility for personal injury or related claims, so as a result, “districts are generally restricted from paying costs or damages associated with injuries, losses, or related expenses except in very specific circumstances expressly authorized by law.”
Brenham ISD released an updated statement on Tuesday, which can be read below:
Full statement below from Brenham ISD:
Brenham ISD is issuing the following clarification to address ongoing public discussion that has included inaccurate characterizations of the district’s response to an incident that occurred earlier this school year.
On the day of the incident, the student was evaluated by the school nurse in accordance with routine health office procedures. At that time, no information had been reported that would have required escalation beyond standard protocols.
It was not until the following morning, when new information was provided indicating a staff member may have been involved, that the matter required immediate escalation beyond standard health services.
Within less than 24 hours of that information being reported, the campus principal notified Central Administration and initiated an investigation. That same day, campus and district staff reviewed available information, preserved relevant video in accordance with district safety protocols, contacted the family, and made all required reports to appropriate agencies. Additional mandatory reporting was completed within required timelines.
Once the district became aware of the nature of the allegation, actions were taken promptly and in accordance with district policy and state law. At no point was the matter delayed after the involvement of a staff member was disclosed.
Superintendent Clay Gillentine has expressed full confidence in the leadership and actions of Brenham Junior High School Principal Jillian Wilke and campus administration. From the moment district leadership was made aware that a staff member may have been involved, Principal Wilke and her team acted immediately and in accordance with all district protocols and legal requirements.
Superintendent Gillentine added that Brenham ISD will always support leaders who act with integrity, professionalism, and care for students, and that the district does not condone the unfair targeting of staff who have fulfilled their responsibilities appropriately.
As previously stated, Texas law strictly limits when public school districts may assume financial responsibility for personal injury or related claims. These limitations are established by the Legislature to ensure public education funds are used for educational purposes. As a result, districts are legally prohibited from paying medical expenses or damages except in very limited circumstances expressly authorized by law.
Brenham ISD remains committed to student safety, transparency within legal boundaries, and responding promptly and responsibly when concerns arise.