District says not culpable for injuries
Jim Wright to retire in June.
By Lori Mellinger editor@bullardnews.com

It took a total of 13 stitches and nine staples to fix Tim Haugh's son's leg.

His son, Haugh said in open forum of the school board meeting Monday, was healing nicely -- but no thanks to the treatment the family believes they received from the district.

"On Feb. 19, my son - who's in fourth grade in Bullard - was playing kickball in P.E. class when he slid into a piece of metal rebar that was sticking out of the ground," Haugh told school board members after he passed out pictures of his child's injuries. "It took 10 stitches on the inside of his leg and three on the outside, along with nine staples to the outside of the leg to fix it.

"He was cut straight to the bone."

Haugh said he believes the district should pay.

Superintendent Jim Wright disagreed.

"The law states that because a motor vehicle was not involved, the district is not legally responsible for the injuries," Wright said.

Haugh contends this was not a matter of "a child slipping in the hall," but one of negligence on the part of the school and the district.

"The rebar was pulled up before the ambulance pulled away," he said. "That shows me they were concerned with liability."

Haugh said it was not a matter of insurance - but a matter of principle.

He said once his son was treated, he called both Wright and Board President Michael Roy - both of whom said they would look into the matter.

Haugh said Wright promised him - on first contact - he would take the medical bills to the board asking them to pay.

Wright said he spoke to an attorney - who told him the district should not pay.

"I'm certainly sorry for what happened, but we have to abide by the law," Wright told Haugh at the meeting.

Haugh said the photos at the school were taken with a parent's Blackberry showing teacher Nanette Woodall and Assistant Superintendent Lynette Hughes examining the rebar.

"I point blank asked for the school to step up and pay for all of the doctor's bills because of the neglect of the school to provide a safe place for our children to play," Haugh said. "Mr. Wright asked if I had purchased the optional insurance, and when I said no, he told me that the school would not be responsible."

Haugh also spoke with Roy later that night, he said.

"He said that he had heard about it, but asked me to give him the whole story," Haugh said. "After taking another call, Mr. Roy called me back and said because I did not buy the optional insurance; the school was not going to be helping pay for anything."

Haugh contends the school was negligent for having the rebar in place and said he spoke with a merchandiser for Baseball Express.com.

"He has been a supplier for the 12 years for Champro, the leading maker of the tie-down base system. They use metal stakes to tie the base down -- similar to the ones used to help tie a tent down -- which can be easily removed, unlike the rebar set in concrete and then buried in the ground. He said that that system hasn't been us in years," Haugh said. "I thought I was sending my kids to a small town school with small town values, and where the teachers have been great, the administration has chosen the wrong path to take on this situation.

"I will not be going away on this matter."

After Haugh spoke, Roy made the announcement that - as of June this year - Wright is retiring as superintendent.

"We know you have to retire someday," Roy said. "We just didn't want it to be now."

Wright said his time spent in Bullard has been some of his most rewarding.

"This is a great community and a great district, and I'm proud to be a part of it," he said. "It's been a pleasure to work with all the past and current trustees.

"It's one of the toughest decisions I've had to make."

For more on Wright's retirement, read next week's edition of