North Pocono board hears multiple accounts of bullying, approves student mental‑health club

The North Pocono School District Board of Education on Oct. 14 heard extended public testimony alleging ongoing bullying and gaps in the district’s response following the Oct. 2 death of a North Pocono High School student, and the board approved a student‑led mental‑health club called Avidum.

Superintendent Dr. Daniel Powell opened the meeting by asking for a moment of silence for students and staff who have died and later told the board and public the district is “committed to honoring Reagan’s memory through meaningful action.” He said, “Every student deserves to feel safe, respected and supported in our schools,” and outlined district resources, including partnerships with Scranton Counseling Center and integrative health services and a plan to host a community informational session on mental health.

The meeting’s public‑comment period drew a long line of speakers and two written comments read by staff. Patty Brown, who identified herself as a Lackawanna County resident, said Reagan’s experience at North Pocono “was a positive one” and thanked staff and the community for support. Other speakers — students and adults — told the board they believed bullying had been ignored or inadequately addressed.

Multiple students described going to guidance counselors with bullying complaints and not seeing sustained action. In public comments, students and parents named problems including: alleged mocking by classmates and staff, repeated bullying based on disability or school program, lack of follow‑up from guidance, students’ fear of retaliation if they speak up, and instances that speakers said led students to consider self‑harm. A number of speakers asked for clearer reporting, for guidance counselors to be more available, and for consequences when staff learn of misconduct but do not act.

Resident Paula Perry and several students urged parents and the community to engage directly with children on compassion and to collaborate with the district’s response. Student speakers said they were often too frightened to identify incidents publicly and some asked the board to ensure anonymity protections when appropriate.

One student, Marley Durenzis, presented a petition to form a student club and explained the group’s mission: the club is intended to foster peer support and mental‑health awareness. The superintendent described Avidum as “a nonprofit organization that ... empowers youth to shatter the silence surrounding depression, suicide, and other issues facing teens.” The board voted to create the high‑school Avidum club and appoint an advisor; the motion passed unanimously (9–0).

Board members and administration said counselors and social workers remain available, and the superintendent directed attention to the district’s counseling web resources and the Safe2Say program and national 988 crisis line for immediate reporting. Several board members noted the district would continue policy review and possibly revisit individual policies in light of the comments offered at the meeting.

Ending: The board did not take further formal action at the meeting specifically tied to the public allegations beyond approving the Avidum club and reaffirming available mental‑health resources; the superintendent said a community informational session on mental health would be scheduled and that the district would continue to evaluate practices and supports.