Parents urge Jennings County schools to act on bullying, mental-health supports and child-abuse training

Parents and local advocates pressed the Jennings County School Corporation board during the public-comment portion of its meeting, saying they are afraid for students after a recent incident on a school bus and asking the district to bolster bullying response, mental-health supports and child-abuse awareness training.

Speakers said the matter goes beyond a single case and reflects gaps in communication and services. "I'm an advocate against domestic and ****** violence," said Nikki Rossbottom, founder of the Tabitha Brock Foundation, and asked: "So the question that I have, is what policies and trainings has the Jennings County School implemented since 02/2018 on a yearly basis that is compliant with the law to teach children about ****** abuse?" Rossbottom referred to a law she called "Aaron's Law." The board did not provide a substantive in-meeting compliance report but offered to follow up with her after the meeting.

Why it matters: Parents described students with suicidal or homicidal ideation, mental-health crises and school-based isolation after those crises. "We took a kid who was having a mental health crisis, and we 100% isolated him, which furthered his mental health," said Glita Hadley, who identified herself as the substance-misuse coordinator for Jennings County and spoke as a parent. Alexa Floyd, of the Mental Health Matters initiative, proposed in-school support options and peer ambassadors: "having youth ambassadors and same age support from those with demonstrated ability because sometimes kids don't want to talk to adults."

Board response and reporting options The board's presiding officer reviewed channels for reporting bullying and other safety concerns and encouraged parents to contact central-office staff and use the district's anonymous reporting form. "We have an anonymous, bullying report form that's on the school's website ... we've been sharing that information, but we have not been getting reports," the presiding officer said, and listed central-office contacts and a phone number for the corporate office.

What was requested and next steps Commenters asked the district to confirm whether required materials for parents have been distributed under the statute referenced by Rossbottom and to explain what annual trainings staff and students receive. The presiding officer said the board would connect speakers with district staff after the meeting and encouraged parents to schedule in-person conversations. No formal motion or vote on new policy occurred during the meeting.

Context and community offers Multiple speakers offered to help the district develop programs and outreach: Rossbottom offered to provide abuse-awareness presentations; Floyd suggested partnering with community groups such as the Boys and Girls Club for pro-social activities and a summer wellness/vigil event. Business owner Jedediah McCrory and other residents urged broader values-based education and improved communication between school and home.

Key takeaways - Parents and community members raised ongoing concerns about bullying and student mental-health supports following a bus-related incident. - A parent-advocate asked about district compliance with a child-abuse awareness law referenced as "Aaron's Law;" the board offered to follow up but did not provide a compliance report in the meeting. - The district reiterated existing reporting channels (anonymous web form, ParentSquare, central-office contacts) and said students suspected of bullying may be placed on safety plans or face disciplinary measures as appropriate.

The board moved on to its agenda items after the public-comment period; district staff were invited to follow up directly with the speakers.