By Terrell Mendenhall
I am grateful to take this opportunity to “Thank” the parents and concerned citizens who saw my vision for being instrumental in pushing the sidewalk project at Brown Upper Elementary School.
As hard as I worked on this project and addressing the Webster Parish School Board and the Superintendent about the safety for all students at Brown Upper Elementary and to see the sidewalks and safety signs all complete makes me work even harder for our communities..
You know life has a way of throwing you all kinds of curve balls but it is how you stand that will make the difference.
This document is what I addressed to the Superintendent and the Board back in March of 2025
Good evening, Superintendent Rowland, members of the school board, faculty, and concerned parents.
My name is Terrell Mendenhall, and I stand before you today as an advocate for the safety and well-being of the students at Brown Upper Elementary School. I come to you not just as a concerned community member, but as someone who has personally witnessed the dangers our children face daily while traveling to and from school.
On Friday, January 17th, I saw firsthand the risks students endure as they walk home, particularly on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. I saw children struggling to cross the street safely, with cars speeding past and no proper supervision in place to protect them. It is unacceptable that in 2025, we are still fighting for the basic necessity of safety for our students.
This is not just a one-time concern. Parents in our community have voiced their frustrations, and I have followed up with Superintendent Rowland multiple times regarding the failure of our School Resource Officer to actively ensure student safety. Instead of being out of their vehicle directing children across the street and enforcing traffic safety, the officer is sitting in their car, failing to fulfill this critical duty.
Now, let me be very clear—this is not a ploy to bash the School Resource Officer or anyone else. I respect and appreciate the work that law enforcement and school personnel do every day. However, when there is a gap in safety that puts children at risk, it is our duty to address it head-on, not to place blame, but to find solutions. This is about accountability and ensuring that every person in a position to protect our children is actively doing so.
Superintendent Rowland, in a text message on February 12th, you assured me that this issue would be addressed immediately. Yet, here we are, still waiting for the promised action to take place. Our children cannot afford delays when it comes to their safety.
So, I ask you all today—what is more important than protecting our students? If we cannot guarantee that our children can get to and from school safely, then we are failing them as a district, as a community, and as leaders.
I am here tonight to demand clear and immediate action:
1. A formal statement from the school board ensuring that a Resource Officer will actively assist children in crossing the street safely each morning and afternoon.
2. Strict accountability measures for this officer to make sure they are fulfilling their duties and not remaining in their vehicle.
3. An outlined plan with a timeline for how this will be implemented and monitored moving forward.
Again, this is not about pointing fingers—it’s about working together to create a safer environment for our children. I urge you to honor your words and commitments, not just for me, but for the parents and most importantly, the children who depend on us to keep them safe.
Let’s work together to ensure that no child is put at risk simply for trying to get an education.
Thank you.
