Parents, students urge Altoona Area School District to act after repeated bullying claims

Parents, students and a school-board candidate used the Altoona Area School District public-comment period to press the board Monday for swifter, clearer responses after a string of alleged bullying incidents affecting a second-grader identified as Jax (Jackson Miller). Speakers described repeated physical assaults, slurs and what they said was inconsistent discipline by school staff.

Brian Guiselman, a school-board candidate who said he collected more than 25 community messages about the case, described Jax as “a caring and sweet, kind individual” who has autism and ADHD and said the child has suffered bullying since kindergarten, including being pushed to the ground and, later, a broken arm. Guiselman said school staff told Jax not to defend himself and warned of consequences if he did. He asked the board to help the family secure answers and noted plans for a nonprofit and fundraising to support anti-bullying work.

Several other speakers gave specific allegations. Delaney Miller, Jackson’s mother, said promises made by school staff when an alleged aggressor returned to school “were not fulfilled” and recounted a series of assaults including choking and a broken elbow. Bridget Pierce, a seventh grader, said students repeatedly mocked autistic students and that some perpetrators received only minimal discipline, concluding, “This school's 0 bullying policy does not work.” Lisonbee Wilt, a parent of four children in the district, said her family had submitted videos of bus incidents and that a bus driver accused of bullying still worked for the district.

Carrie Pierce told the board she learned a student managed to bring a screwdriver through high-school metal detectors and said parents were not notified by the school; she described relying on students and other parents to learn about safety incidents. Multiple speakers said bullying has driven families to consider or choose cyber schooling.

District leadership acknowledged the complaints and described existing supports. The superintendent said staff were in contact with Jax’s family and that administrators, principals and counselors were engaging in conversations and preventive work; he said, “My phone and door is always open.” Board leadership also invited constituents to email and promised responsiveness.

The meeting record shows no formal board action or vote to change discipline policy or to open a formal investigation during the session; public comment was closed and the board proceeded to its regular agenda of approvals and reports. Several speakers requested clearer communication from schools about the outcomes of investigations and specific, enforceable consequences for repeat offenders.

Next steps noted at the meeting: administrators said they were already working with the family; the board encouraged stakeholders to contact members by email for follow-up. No deadline or formal district policy change was announced during the meeting.