WCPS Workers Say They're Getting Hurt on the Job. Why Ain't That a Bigger Conversation?

You ever notice how the conversation about schools usually starts and ends with the students? And that's understandable. But the adults driving the buses, sitting beside kids who need extra help, cleaning buildings and keeping everything running ain't disposable. So when I read what some Washington County Public Schools employees said at a September board meeting, I had to stop for a minute.

Bus driver Vanessa Wood told the board that transportation aides had been punched, bitten, had their hair pulled and suffered other injuries. She described one attendant whose hand was reportedly broken and who couldn't finish the school year. Those are claims presented in public comments, not independent findings that I can verify from injury records.

A child's right to an education shouldn't require the adult helping them to accept being injured as part of the job.6ix

And before somebody tries to turn this into an argument against students with disabilities, nah. That's not where I'm going. Children have legal educational rights, and many need transportation accommodations. The question is whether the school system is giving staff enough training, support, staffing and a real response plan when somebody gets hurt.

Then you get to the other people nobody notices until they stop showing up

Kathy O'Reilly, speaking for educational support professionals, said about 550 WCPS support workers signed on to a Bill of Rights calling for fair pay, safe conditions, affordable health care and respect. Carol Mowen from the teachers association also discussed building maintenance, including aging HVAC systems. That's not a single complaint. That's several groups raising questions about what working in these schools actually looks like.

I'm not saying the board ignored everybody or that every allegation has been substantiated. I am saying that if employees are going to stand before a public board describing those conditions, the next step should be more than thanking them for speaking.

We always hear how hard it is to hire and keep school employees. Well, here's a thought: if the people already doing the work say they're getting hurt or don't feel respected, maybe start there. Give them answers. Publish the policies. Track the incidents. And show the public how the response actually works.

I'd love to see a follow-up with the district's own data and response rather than leaving everything at accusations on one side and silence on the other. Because workers deserve protection and kids deserve services. Both. That's not supposed to be controversial.