CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Families of those injured in the Kenwood Middle School bus crash have been voicing their frustrations with the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System over unpaid medical bills and what they describe as a lack of communication and accountability.
Some of the families have shared their concerns on social media, citing mounting unpaid medical debt. Others have taken their frustrations directly to the CMCSS School Board, calling for clearer answers and support.
Community criticism at School Board meeting
During Tuesday’s School Board meeting, several community members criticized how recent incidents have been handled and called for new leadership.
Board Chair Chris Lanier opened the meeting by citing Tennessee law 39-17-360, warning that disruptive attendees would be removed. The reminder followed a tense June 16 meeting where the public was removed from the room after repeated disruptions.
Adam and Ashley Ellithorpe, the parents of the student shown nude photos by teacher Matthew Vedder – who was arrested July 15 on four counts of supplying obscene material to a minor – renewed calls for the resignation of Vedder’s wife, Director of Schools Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder.
One of the families impacted by the Kenwood Middle School bus crash also addressed the board about unpaid medical expenses.
Survivor of bus crash: ‘$200,000 in unpaid medical debt’
Student Xelani Lugo, a survivor of the school bus crash, demanded change and, like the Ellithorpes, called for new leadership.
She criticized how CMCSS handled the crash and the aftermath. “Since the day of the crash, I have been nothing but ignored by the school system,” Xelani said. “Not one of you on the School Board, nor my own principal, has reached out to see how I’m doing.”
She then referenced last month’s meeting, when the public was removed. “It was to the point where I had to stand up with a poster and shout, demanding answers and accountability,” she said. “And even then, I was escorted out in silence.”
| PREVIOUSLY: Public removed from School Board meeting after emotional comments from crash victim’s mother, Vedder victim
Xelani said her medical bills, which now exceed $200,000, are still unpaid. “When will you begin to listen? When will you start serving the people and not the system? When will you cover my medical debt that reaches over $200,000?” she asked.
Father of bus crash survivor: ‘You have failed this community’
Xaviel Lugo, father of Xelani, said CMCSS had a “legal and moral obligation” to protect and support the children in the accident.
“CMCSS failed each one of those 24 children involved in that horrific, fatal accident,” he said. “You failed their parents and you have failed this community. The ongoing lack of accountability and leadership should concern every taxpayer and every parent in Clarksville.”
Lugo said he emailed board members on June 13 about the unpaid medical bills and did not receive a response. “I proposed transferring $2 million from the general fund into a dedicated relief fund for all of the affected children,” he said.
He added that families are still carrying the “financial and emotional burden alone.”
Clarksville Now has attempted to reach the Lugo family for additional comment.
School district on billing concerns
When reached by Clarksville Now, CMCSS spokesperson Anthony Johnson said the district is limited in what it can address publicly. “Due to pending litigation and active state and federal investigations, the district cannot comment on the accident, resolve insurance claims, or provide generalized guidance through the media,” Johnson said.
“For families who have not retained legal counsel, they may continue to contact the district’s third-party administrator, Collins & Co., (423) 265-0541. For families who have retained legal counsel, all inquiries regarding medical bills and insurance information should be handled directly between the families’ attorneys and the district’s attorneys to ensure compliance with formal legal protocols.”
| PREVIOUSLY: New filings deepen legal battle over fatal Kenwood Middle School bus crash
Why are families receiving bills?
The bus crash victims were treated at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County in Huntingdon. Clarksville Now contacted the hospital to ask why families were being billed directly. The hospital said they work with insurance companies and third-party payers after major accidents to help families navigate billing.
They added that in chaotic situations involving multiple patients, some information may not be immediately available. “However, because of the immediacy and confusion around events involving multiple people, not all details may be initially available, which can result in patients receiving bills covered by their insurance companies or other parties.”
The hospital encouraged families who believe they were billed in error to reach out. “We are aware of the circumstances surrounding this accident and encourage any family who believes they received bills in error to contact our financial services department. Our team is available and ready to help care for the affected families.”
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County can be reached at 731-986-4461.
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