Parents, students tell Russell County school board bullying persists; board points to policy review and follow-up

Several parents and a student told the Russell County Public Schools Board at its public-comment period that persistent bullying across the district is harming children and that school staff have not consistently notified families or taken effective disciplinary action.

Andrea Hale, a parent whose children attend Conaker Elementary School, said her 10-year-old has been “both verbally and physically abused” by the same classmate and that “the teachers have reported to the office multiple times a week, and I as his parents are never notified.” Hale said the principal told her the only punishment given was “a signed pizza lunch” and that the bully remained in the same classroom. “A child who physically and intentionally hurts another child should be sent home immediately,” Hale said. “A child who threatens to inflict bodily harm or death or tell a child to commit suicide should be suspended and permanently removed from that classroom.”

McKenna, a Kean University student who identified herself as the sister…