Clark-Pleasant school board sends new pool policy to external review

Clark-Pleasant school’s new swimming pool policy has been sent to an independent consulting firm for review, although parents still have concerns about the circumstances surrounding the new policy.

The Clark-Pleasant school board unanimously voted 5-0 to pass the new pool policy through second reading Tuesday night. The policy has been heavily-discussed for months following the death of 15-year-old Alaina Dildine who drowned after an apparent seizure in the Whiteland Community High School pool on May 16.

Dildine was underwater for 52 minutes until another student in the next class founder her, a report from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said. The Johnson County Coroner ruled her death an accident on May 30, attributing the seizure to her epilepsy.

Some additional changes to the policy were revealed during Tuesday night’s second reading of the policy, including further details on the student lifeguard who will be on duty alongside an adult lifeguard and a swimming instructor.

Policy updates

The student lifeguard will be under the direct supervision of the adult lifeguard and swim instructor, and must acquire a Red Cross Lifeguard certification that includes CPR, First Aid and AED training. They are responsible for closely monitoring activities related to the pool area and identifying any safety issues throughout their shift, according to the revised policy.

Student lifeguards are not permitted to use cellphones, but they will keep them on their cart in the event of an emergency so that they are able to communicate with the main office. A school radio will also be available on the pool deck to utilize in the event of an emergency, the revised policy shows.

Life jackets will be available for use if desired for additional support. All students will be required to wear a WAVE headband while swimming. These headbands set off an alarm if any student falls unconscious or are underwater for a prolonged period of time, according to the policy.

Edsell said that the policy will be considered a “live document” after the review and can be updated at any time. The reviewing process would take the firm about a month to complete and their suggestions would be shared publicly to the school board.

The policy would be reviewed for each change, and annually or biannually at minimum with parents invited to provide their input, he said.

Niki Morrison, chair of the high school’s physical education department, spoke on behalf of the newly hired Water Safety Instructor Judy Treat, who was introduced during the meeting. Treat will teach the school’s Physical Education 1 classes, along with all of their leveled swimming courses, while Morrison will be teaching Physical Education 2. Treat may assist Morrison at times where there is not a PE class scheduled, Morrison said.

“[Treat’s] doing an awesome job. She’s already going through making manuals — finding what certifications we all currently have. She’s getting new policies, new procedures put together in binders so they are accessible to people who need them,” Morrison said.

Morrison also has all of the certifications of the lifeguards currently working in her possession.

Parents question officials

Several community members voiced their concerns regarding the ongoing investigation of Alaina’s death and the school board’s role in the matter during the public comments section of Tuesday’s meeting.

Whiteland resident Miranda Fikes questioned whether the adults involved in the incident were interviewed or questioned before they left the scene. Edsell stated that he could not answer because he was not a part of the administration at the time. He was named superintendent in July.

Fikes also inquired if the adults involved were drug tested in a timely manner. Board member Kimberly Crawford said that because of the ongoing litigation, the board could not comment on the matter.

“We feel like that things are being swept under the rug,” Fikes said. “My son is an eyewitness. He has never been interviewed or questioned.”

Fikes cited an article for the U.S. Department of Justice and referenced that this death was a case of “acute maltreatment” and a “moment of neglect” due to the example of drowning.

She then called for the dismissal of the teacher who was at the scene and was placed on paid administrative leave from the school on May 17, according to a June personnel report from the district. The lifeguard on the pool deck at the time was terminated in June.

Fikes also asked if information related to the case would be released to the public upon the case being closed. Edsell stated that it depended on what their attorney would permit them to release.

Greenwood resident Amanda Blue questioned the high school’s counseling resources during the meeting.

“I know that counseling was set up for kids who knew Alaina and mourned her, but at this point, our kids have lost trust in the staff there,” Blue said. “How do we help our kids get passed this when they don’t feel comfortable going to the school counselors, because this happened at the school?”

Edsell recommended that the students should continue to seek out the school counselors if they needed them.

Sharna Yates of Greenwood said parents do not choose the hiring of school employees and trusted that the board to so. The trust is not there anymore, she said.

“We need to change who is making our choices – that is our only option,” Yates said.

Heather McMurry, another community member, voiced her displeasure with the board as well. She said the board was chosen to represent the parents in the community, and they owe the community an explanation on why the teacher involved is still employed.

“We chose you to represent us and our children first and foremost, not to worry about what an attorney tells you to or to not do. Your oath is to us,” McMurry said.

Kyle Dildine, Alaina’s father, later asked the board about the individual who was supposed to be in charge of checking the lifeguard’s credentials, as he believed that they hadn’t possessed any.

Board member Kent Beeson replied that he had no idea who was in charge of checking the credentials. Board member Butch Zike stated that it was not written down who should have checked the credentials but he had an idea who should have been responsible.

Dildine later abruptly exited the meeting in frustration to the board’s responses.

The meeting was filled with tears, shouts and embraces by the podium. Towards the end, attendees began yelling out statements from the crowd criticizing the board’s lack of responses and the teacher involved.

Beeson later said that the board was unable to speak because of a “gag order.”