Parent tells board her daughter faces repeated bullying; board commits to follow-up and adopts anti-bullying resolution

Nathaniel Miller, a Gloucester parent, used the meeting's public comment period to describe repeated bullying incidents against his daughter at Thomas Calhoun Walker Elementary School (public comment recorded Oct. 24). Miller said the student had been verbally abused, physically shoved and "shamed and assaulted" by both peers and a staff member; he said prior reporting had not produced consistent consequences and asked the board to investigate.

Board members responded that they took the allegations seriously. Board member Mr. Brewer asked administration to reach out and promised the board would follow up. Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Vladeau told the board staff would contact the family, coordinate with the school and initiate a formal investigation and follow-up steps "first thing in the morning." He later reported that contact information had been provided and the district would work with the family.

At the same meeting the board unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing October as VSBA Bullying Prevention Month and encouraging school-based conversations and policies to prevent bullying. The resolution notes national estimates of bullying prevalence and urges schools to use resources and sample policies provided by the Virginia School Boards Association.

Why it matters: The public comment described a child's ongoing safety and school climate concerns and prompted immediate administrative follow-up plus a formal district-level statement committing the board to prevention work and policy alignment.

What happens next: Administration told the board it would perform a formal follow-up with the family and the school and report back on outcomes. The adopted resolution encourages school-based anti-bullying discussion and policy use but does not itself create new disciplinary procedures.