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Parent and family members tell board about bullying of a student with disabilities; call for training and policy enforcement
Summary
Two family members spoke during public comment about repeated bullying and mistreatment of a student with disabilities at Roosevelt Elementary, urging the board to enforce policies, provide staff training and ensure student safety.
Stephanie Morris Doty, who identified herself as the parent of a child at Roosevelt Elementary, told the board her daughter has special needs and "has been repeatedly bullied and mistreated in our school system." Morris Doty cited national research to underline the vulnerability of students with disabilities and urged the board to act.
"We cannot allow this to continue," she said, adding that educators need support and training to recognize and intervene in bullying and that policies must be enforced.
Kya Collins, who identified herself as the student's aunt and a former Vancouver Public Schools student, also spoke and recounted her own experience of severe bullying in the district. Collins described the long‑term impacts on peers and family members and urged the board to find ways to address the problem.
Board meeting procedure materials presented at the start of public comment remind speakers that the board does not respond during public comment and that "if follow‑up action is necessary, the board will ask the superintendent to work with administrative staff to consider the information and respond accordingly." The board did not take formal action in response to the two comments during the meeting but listeners were told the superintendent would be provided the materials.
