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Residents urge stronger anti-bullying policies and question district spending at Whitehall-Coplay meeting
Summary
During public comment on May 19 several residents described alleged bullying incidents affecting special-education students, reported a bus with a broken window, and pressed the board for greater budget transparency and cuts to nonessential spending.
Multiple community members used the board’s public-participation period on May 19 to urge the Whitehall-Coplay Board of School Directors to strengthen bullying policies and to ask for more budget transparency and spending reductions.
Bullying and student safety: Kelly Owekwa told the board that her family’s experience shows current policies and procedures need updates and stronger enforcement. “These need to be things need to change,” she said, describing incidents in which she said a younger child with special needs was targeted and the family’s view that school responses were insufficient. Another speaker, a parent who identified concerns about bullying, said disciplinary steps taken by the district felt inadequate and that repeat offenders continued to cause problems.
Transportation safety: a resident reported a school bus with a broken window that let rain pour into the bus, soaking seats and children. The commenter said the bus incident left students wet and at risk of getting sick and requested the district ensure vehicles are maintained.
Budget and spending concerns: Bruce Charles criticized what he described as “irresponsible spending,” calling out an approximately $150,000 purchase of message boards as an example and urging the district to publish a more detailed, line-by-line budget. Another resident questioned a proposed 4.6% tax increase and urged further cuts, including on capital items and nonessential expenses. A separate commenter asked whether a $500,000 reduction in special-education spending would affect services; the board’s administration was asked to clarify how cuts would be made without reducing mandated services.
Why it matters: public commenters raised issues that touch on student safety, special-education services and district priorities ahead of the budget vote. The complaints requested clearer policy changes, better maintenance oversight and greater transparency about spending and proposed cuts.
Board response: the board acknowledged the comments during the meeting but did not take immediate action on policy changes; items raised remain topics for follow-up by administrators.
