Hixson mother says school lost child during dismissal
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A mother of a Hixson Elementary student says she recently had a scare during one school dismissal period.
Denise McMenamin’s adopted nine year son Dylan has been going to Hixson Elementary School since the family moved to a new home in October.
She says from the get go there have been communication issues at the school, but it peaked during one Tuesday afternoon.
She said, “I went to pick him up in the car line, and he wasn’t there.”
McMenamin says she followed the proper procedures to notify staff that Dylan was supposed to be a car rider so he could go to his weekly piano lesson.
She said, “At Hixson Elementary, if there’s a change in transportation needs it has to be submitted to the school in writing.”
She says despite doing this, no one knew where Dylan was.
McMenamin said, “The teacher who was working happened to be his teacher. She had acknowledged she had gotten my note that he was a car rider, but she didn’t know where he was.”
That’s when she was directed to the school’s front office for answers as the teacher floated the possibility of being in the afterschool program.
She said, “When I went around front to the office, they called SACC and Dylan wasn’t there. So now for 10 minutes nobody knows where my child is, he’s nine.”
Eventually, after 17 minutes according to McMenamin, they eventually located Dylan on his normal school bus.
She said, “The principal said, “Well, did Dylan know that he was supposed to be a car rider?” And I said “Yes.” But he’s nine! The teacher is an adult, it’s her responsibility, and I got no response. I hurried home to find him sitting on the steps.”
Hixson Elementary School is secluded behind the Hixson Walmart on Winding Lane. As you can see behind me, the only way for students to leave is by car or bus.
Hamilton County Schools sent us the following statement:
“The safety of students is the highest priority for Hamilton County Schools. We are currently reviewing the circumstances of this situation, and we are working with the family and school to determine exactly what occurred.”
McMenamin has a warning for other parents.
She said, “Make sure that you know where your child is and their teachers are going to be held accountable for having them in the right place at the right time.”
McMenamin says that the family has decided to pull Dylan out and send him to other school in response to this situation, saying they no longer trust that school’s administration.
