WHITEHOUSE, Texas (TXAN 24) — Whitehouse ISD continues to find itself at the center of legal and public scrutiny, as three pending lawsuits involving the alleged mistreatment of special needs students progress. These cases raise questions about the district’s handling of sensitive situations involving students with disabilities, as parents continue to express concerns over transparency and the care provided by district staff.
In one case, the parents of Rosie Wilt, a student in the district’s Life Skills Classroom, sought access to video footage after an incident on January 11, 2024, left them feeling concerned about her well-being. Despite their requests, the district declined to release the footage, offering only a summary report of the video review. This refusal to share the footage, according to district officials, was in compliance with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) regulations that protect the privacy of other students who also appeared in the video.
A similar issue emerged in another case, as revealed by a letter addressed to Joshua Claxton dated May 12, 2020. The Claxtons had requested a copy of a video from February 11, 2020, involving their child, but were also denied due to the presence of other students in the footage. The letter, written by attorney Jennifer Carroll of Walsh Gallegos Treviño Russo & Kyle P.C., explained that while the Claxtons were allowed to review the video, FERPA protections prohibited the district from distributing a copy unless no other students appeared in the footage. The letter highlighted the district’s stance that “resources should be allocated to student instruction,” rather than video editing, indicating that Whitehouse ISD would not remove other students from the video to fulfill the request.
The use of FERPA to withhold video footage has become a contentious point for parents involved in these lawsuits, who argue that it obstructs transparency and limits their ability to advocate for their children. Parents have called for the district to improve its communication and offer more comprehensive responses to incidents involving special needs students.
As Whitehouse ISD faces increasing pressure from these legal challenges, the district has yet to publicly address the broader implications of these cases. Parents, however, remain determined to seek justice and ensure that their children’s rights are protected, pushing for greater accountability in how the district handles special education incidents.
With three lawsuits now pending, the outcome of these cases could have far-reaching effects on the district’s special education program and its policies regarding transparency and accountability. As the legal process continues, Whitehouse ISD will be under intense scrutiny, particularly when it comes to the rights of special needs students and the district’s obligations under federal and state law.
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