Woodville ISD Issues Official Statement After PE Incident Leaves Dozens of Students Injured

Following an alarming incident during a pre-athletics class at Woodville Middle School on Monday, May 19, Woodville ISD has released an official statement in response to public outcry and media attention. The event reportedly left more than two dozen sixth-grade boys with burns on their hands and knees after being instructed to perform “bear crawls” on a sun-heated outdoor track.

Photos shared with East Texas Banner reveal painful blisters and raw wounds sustained by several students. Parents report that at least one child was admitted to a specialized burn unit, and others have sought treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital.

The activity, allegedly directed by Coach Kobe Adams, involved an exercise trending on social media where participants bear crawl on various surfaces for endurance. According to several parents, when students expressed pain during the exercise, Coach Adams responded by saying they “just had weak hands.”

Sources within the district say Coach Adams has been terminated from his position at Woodville ISD. However, there are unconfirmed reports that he may have been offered a new position at Corrigan ISD.

In the aftermath of the incident, Woodville ISD released the following full statement:

“Woodville ISD is aware of the incident that occurred during a pre-athletics class at Woodville Middle School on Monday, May 19. We are equally as concerned with the reports as the community and are taking the matter seriously, as our students’ well-being and safety is a top priority. The Superintendent and Campus Principal have launched a full internal review and are cooperating with local law enforcement. Currently, we are aware that students participated in an exercise program promoted on social media that involves bear crawling on the track. Due to the temperature of the track, the exercise resulted in some students reporting injuries. While federal privacy laws (FERPA) limit what we can share, we want to be clear: the employee actions described by the media do not reflect the values or expectations of Woodville ISD. The District is addressing all personnel matters in line with district policy, and can confirm the staff member involved has been removed from campus and will not be returning to the District. District and campus leadership are in direct contact with affected families and remain committed to transparency, accountability, and ensuring a safe, respectful environment for all students.”

The school principal has reportedly begun reaching out directly to families of those impacted. Superintendent Lisa Meysembourg has not yet issued an individual comment but is named in the district's formal release.

East Texas Banner will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more details become available.