The concerns raised by our community have not diminished — they have grown. Since this petition was first filed a growing number of parents, teachers, and community members have come forward with additional reports involving student safety, supervision, financial transparency, and campus culture. The following update summarizes those concerns based on community reports and observed conditions at the school.

I. Student Safety Concerns
The following incidents have been reported by community members and raise serious questions about campus safety protocols and supervision.

Unsupervised Student Found Outside Campus

Community members report that a kindergarten special education student was found outside of campus by a parent and returned to school, with staff reportedly unaware the child had left campus. We are calling on the district to review supervision protocols to ensure this cannot happen again.

Concerns Regarding Emergency Response to Student Seizure

Community members have raised concerns regarding the response to a student medical emergency involving a seizure on campus. Families report delays in contacting emergency services and initiating care, and have questioned whether established emergency protocols were followed.

Reported Illness Outbreak and Restroom Hygiene Concerns (TK–2nd Grade)

• Community members have reported a suspected outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease among TK–2nd grade students, with several children becoming ill on campus.
• Concerns have been raised that student restrooms are not being regularly cleaned and are frequently lacking basic supplies such as soap and paper products. We ask the district to assess whether current restroom maintenance meets required health and safety standards.
• Families have also reported that students are being denied access to MPR restrooms during lunch due to a stated lack of supervision, with doors locked during the school day. Adequate restroom access should be ensured for all students.

Playground Supervision and Volunteer Safety Concerns

Community members report that students face increasing restrictions during recess, which some families attribute to staffing and supervision gaps rather than genuine safety needs.

• Reports indicate that parents are being asked to volunteer as campus monitors to address staffing gaps. This raises potential safety and liability concerns, as it is unclear whether all volunteers have completed required background checks, received training to supervise students independently, or whether this arrangement has received formal district approval.
• Families report that recess periods have been shortened and that instructional time has been affected as teachers escort students to campus gates during dismissal across multiple grade levels.

II. Special Education & Student Support Concerns

Community members have raised concerns about the adequacy of support and supervision for students with special needs.

• Families report concerns about inconsistent supervision and accommodation for special education students, including questions about whether required protocols and individualized plans are being consistently followed.
• The emergency response incident described above has heightened concerns about whether staff are adequately trained and prepared to respond to the needs of students with medical or developmental conditions.
• Families and staff have also reported that some staff feel uncertain about how to respond to complex student needs, raising questions about the adequacy of current training and support structures.
• We are asking the district to conduct a review of staff training, emergency preparedness protocols, and IEP compliance to ensure that all students — particularly those with disabilities or medical needs — are receiving the care, supervision, and support they are entitled to.

III. Campus Culture & Student Well-Being

Families and staff report a noticeable decline in campus culture and student well-being under the current principal.

• Community members report an increase in student behavioral challenges and concern that underlying causes are not being adequately addressed.
• Many families say their children no longer feel as safe, engaged, or excited about attending school as they once did.
• Families report that school rallies no longer reflect the traditions and inclusive spirit previously valued by the community. Longstanding traditions such as student awards and school songs have reportedly been reduced, and students have been required to sit outdoors on cold or wet concrete surfaces in inclement weather.
• Community members describe the current playground environment as overly restrictive, with students confined to assigned zones. Concerns have also been raised that the new playground, installed using Measure D public funds, may require students to use earned incentives for access, raising equity concerns.
• Families continue to report concerns regarding the organization and supervision of student drop-off and the limited visible presence of school leadership during arrival and pick-up.

IV. Leadership and Communication Concerns

Community members report that concerns related to leadership and communication practices remain unresolved.

• Parents and staff report that school decisions are not consistently informed by input from teachers, families, or the broader community.
• Community members say new rules and procedures are frequently introduced without addressing the root causes of campus challenges.
• Multiple families report that attempts to raise concerns are not consistently met with open communication or follow-through.
• Staff morale has reportedly declined, with experienced staff leaving the school.
• Families also report that they are not always notified promptly when incidents occur on campus.

V. Equity, Inclusion & Potential FERPA Concerns

Community members have noted that the PTA board appears to be less reflective of the school’s diverse community than in prior years and have raised questions about whether all families feel equally welcomed and represented.

• Concerns have been raised regarding potential FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) issues. Community members report that sensitive student demographic information may have been shared with parent groups without parental consent. We are asking the district to review this matter and confirm that student privacy protections are being upheld.
• Families of special education students have also reported barriers to full participation in some school programs and activities.

VI. Financial Transparency & PTA Governance Concerns

Community members have raised concerns about financial transparency and the governance structure of the PTA under the current principal.

A. School Budget Transparency

Parents and staff report that after being informed that budget constraints prevented certain programs last year, new programs have since been introduced despite ongoing district-wide budget cuts. Community members are asking for greater transparency regarding how these decisions are made and how school funds are allocated.

B. PTA Fundraising Transparency

PTA fundraising has increased in recent years, yet families report that the number of student programs and events appears to have declined compared to prior years. Community members are asking for clearer accounting of how funds raised on behalf of students are being used.

C. PTA Governance & Conflict-of-Interest Concerns

• Questions have also been raised about the PTA leadership selection process and the relationship between the PTA and school administration. Community members report that the current PTA president ran for the position but was not elected, was later appointed after the elected president resigned, and was also appointed mid-year to the School Site Council rather than being selected through the standard election process.
• Some families have expressed concern that holding roles in both bodies may concentrate influence in ways that reduce financial transparency and blur the traditional independence between parent organizations and school administration. As a result, some families note that the same individual now participates in oversight of both PTA and school budget decisions.

Our Community Stands United

Bryn Mawr Elementary should be a place where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to learn where differences are respected, all students are supported, and the school community works together toward shared goals.

Effective school leadership requires transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to student well-being. When concerns of this scope are raised by a broad cross-section of the community, they deserve a thorough and impartial review.

We renew our call for:

1. The removal of Dr. Esther Tamanaha as principal of Bryn Mawr Elementary School.
2. A full and independent review of safety incidents, financial transparency, FERPA compliance, and equity concerns outlined in this update.
3. Appointment of interim leadership that will work collaboratively with the community to restore safety, supervision, transparency, and trust.
4. A transparent audit of school and PTA financial practices under the current principal.
5. A community-inclusive process for selecting future school leadership that incorporates the voices of parents, teachers, and students.

We believe in our students.

We believe in our staff.

We believe in our community.

And we will continue advocating until every child at Bryn Mawr Elementary School is safe, supported, and able to thrive.