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Students tell board removal of "safe zone" signs makes some classrooms feel unsafe; call for visible supports
Summary
Two student speakers and multiple former students urged the board to restore "safe zone" classroom signs and to take concrete steps to address bullying and harassment. Speakers shared alleged incidents and asked the board to engage with students and reinstate visible signals of support.
Two student speakers addressed the board during open forum, urging restoration of small classroom "safe zone" signs and asking the board to take further steps to address bullying, harassment and student safety.
Elsie Blackmore, introduced by the board as a public commenter, described attending Sunflower Girl State and said the experience highlighted the need for visible signals in classrooms. She said the sign in question had been hung in just nine classrooms and described the signs as a way for students to know where they could seek support. "The only action that effectively can be taken to prevent bullying...is knowing that they have someone to go to," Elsie said. She urged the board, "Will you keep the signs back on these 9 unnoticed bulletin boards come August?"
Grace Wallena, a Paola High School graduate and educator, told the board she had previously spoken in support of the signs and that she had been contacted by students, parents and former students about harmful incidents. She shared multiple allegations from community members (shared to the board with permission) including reports of students being sexually harassed, being photographed without consent and being dismissed by administrators when concerns were raised. "These stories are hard to hear, but they're real, and they're happening here," Wallena said. "By removing the signs and continuing to ignore the voices of students, you are sending the clear message that you do not care."
Board and administration response
Board members and administrators said they had revisited handbook language and discipline processes; the board later approved updated handbooks with added handbook language (item "17") and asked administrators to pursue a district board policy that would clarify progressive discipline and long-term suspension procedures. Administrators told the board that long-term suspension and expulsion recommendations must follow due-process hearings and are not automatic, and that language could be developed with the school board association.
Why this matters
Speakers asked for visible, concrete signals and policy changes to make students feel safe and to ensure consistent responses to bullying and harassment. The public comments prompted board direction to revise handbooks and to pursue a district policy discussion on disciplinary thresholds and procedures.
What happens next
The board approved the handbooks with the changes discussed and asked staff to engage the school board association to draft potential board policy language about disciplinary actions and hearings. The student speakers said they will continue to monitor the board's actions and expected to see the signs reinstated in August.
