Parent alleges staff misconduct; urges faster complaint response and policy change

Carmel, N.Y. — A parent escalated a complaint about alleged staff misconduct at the Carmel Central School District board meeting on May 28, saying existing complaint procedures and timelines have failed her family.

Samantha Folling, who identified herself as a parent, said she has an open complaint with the board, district administration and building administration about an incident she said occurred March 27. Folling described video evidence she said was presented in executive session and alleged that a staff member had physically handled a student: "If I walked in or if my kid walked into school tomorrow and said my mom grabbed me by the back of the shirt, threw me across our hall, and then trapped me in a bathroom, would you call CPS on me?" she asked the board.

Folling said she had been told the district’s review found “nonaction” and said she would escalate the matter publicly if she did not see timely, corrective action. She urged policy, DEI and special-education committees to help and said she was prepared to make the issue public.

Trustees and district representatives acknowledged the concern. A trustee and policy committee representatives said a 'parent complaint and compliment' policy is on a near-term policy committee agenda and that certain policies require annual review. Trustees expressed sympathy and said they would pursue policy clarifications and public follow-up where appropriate; no further formal action was announced at the meeting.

What’s next: The policy committee planned additional meetings this week; the board directed that public follow-up be provided when possible. The parent’s complaint remains an active administrative matter.