Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board: district reviewing bullying policy after reporter's questions; investigators, family contacted
Summary
A WEAR reporter asked the board whether its bullying policy and reporting processes adequately protect students after a recent student death; the board said the district has met with the family and that a sheriff's department investigation appears to be underway; the superintendent said policies are reviewed annually.
A WEAR reporter raised questions during public comment about whether the district's bullying policy and its implementation are adequate after a student death reported in recent coverage. The Okaloosa County School Board and district officials responded that the district has met with the family and that law enforcement is involved.
Reporter Samantha Sarban told the board she had discussed details with Superintendent Chambers and asked whether the district's bullying policy "is something that needs to be looked at? Is it too specific and not meeting the threshold for a lot of our kids to where they can't get action because that policy is so specific?"
A board speaker expressed condolences and said, "my understanding is that the superintendent, or the district, the school district, not the school board, that the school district has met with the family and offered to receive any information that they have. And, my also my understanding is that, I think there is an active, sheriff's department investigation." The speaker also said the board did not want to interfere with any active investigation.
Superintendent Chambers told the board that policies are reviewed annually: "The policy that's in place right now, does work in terms of it specifies what bullying is and it specifies what harassment is. And then, of course, if a student is, found to be bullying, there's definitely consequences that we put in place." Chambers said the district takes the issue seriously and described school-family partnership as part of response efforts.
When the reporter said two former district employees had told her they felt discouraged from escalating complaints, the board asked those former employees to come forward with details so the district could investigate.
No formal board action was taken at the meeting. The board's public remarks described an ongoing law-enforcement inquiry and the district's offer to meet with the family; the superintendent said the district annually reviews its policies and looks for required statutory changes.
