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Parent tells Octorara Area School District board children aren’t safe; solicitor, officials urge private follow-up
Summary
A parent told the Octorara Area School District board she and others say bullying and inadequate supervision have harmed students; the board and the district solicitor advised a private, case-by-case follow-up and said investigations are handled by administration under existing policies.
A parent pressed the Octorara Area School District board on alleged bullying and insufficient supervision at the middle school, saying repeated incidents have left students injured and families feeling unheard. "A child should feel safe coming to school," Michelle Parksburg Taylor told the board, describing recent episodes and concerns about after-school supervision.
Board members acknowledged the seriousness of the concerns but said the meeting format was not appropriate for a detailed investigation and urged a private follow-up. One board member said social media accounts of the incidents had sometimes amplified or altered the facts. District solicitor Jeff Litz told Parksburg Taylor, "The board can't do the investigation," and encouraged her to meet with the superintendent and board president after the meeting so administrators can start case-by-case review and supportive measures.
The board and speakers repeatedly pointed to existing policies that govern discipline and investigative processes, including the district's discrimination and harassment policy under review (Policy 103). Members said administration is responsible for investigating alleged student misconduct and applying discipline or supports as appropriate, and asked parents to provide specifics to allow staff to act.
Speakers at the meeting urged families and district staff to work together on culture and supervision improvements. Board members and administrators said they could not comment on individual disciplinary outcomes in public for privacy reasons but committed to meeting the parent after the session to begin a documented review.
The board did not take formal action on the issue during the meeting; the solicitor and board president requested a private meeting with the parent to initiate a response.
Next steps: the parent and district representatives agreed to meet privately after the meeting to share case details and start any necessary administrative review.
