Parents are planning a protest today outside Zachry Middle School, starting at 1 p.m. They are asking Northside Independent School District officials for accountability over allegations of abuse and neglect involving students with special needs. The parents are calling for the removal of Principal Veronica Poblano and Vice Principal Richard De La Garza.
Parents accuse school administrators of failing to protect students. They also allege that bullying and inappropriate behavior toward female students were covered up. These allegations have not been independently verified. The protest follows complaints from two families. One mother said teachers mocked and yelled at her 13-year-old nonverbal son, who has autism, and allowed him to harm himself. A second parent said her son was neglected after falling down a flight of stairs at the school.
Both families have withdrawn their children from Zachry Middle School. The parents say administrators did not provide a safe environment, and they want changes to prevent similar incidents. Northside ISD said it is looking into the concerns raised by the families.