Eighth‑grader tells board she faced years of bullying and limited help from school staff
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Summary
An eighth‑grade student told the board she had been bullied repeatedly since fifth grade, said school interventions were insufficient and that disciplinary outcomes were uneven; the board heard the testimony during public comment and did not take immediate action during the meeting.
An eighth‑grade student, Emma Donovan, delivered a public comment at the Feb. 9 Valley Central board meeting describing years of repeated bullying and the district's response.
Emma said the harassment began in fifth grade and persisted through middle school, including online harassment and a group chat during the summer. She described telling teachers and school counselors and said she was told to ignore the behavior; when staff intervened she said the response was limited to a note and the harassment continued. "I told my teachers, and they said to tell the school guidance counselor. So I did, and she didn't do anything," Emma said, recounting her experience.
She described an incident on Jan. 9, 2026, when she said she was made to cry in the lunchroom; she said two friends who defended her were sent to in‑school suspension while the student who she said had caused her distress remained in class. "I asked mister r why they put my two friends in ISS and not the kid that made me cry," Emma said. She told the board the school declined a DAS report she requested because she had good grades and attended school regularly.
Board president thanked Emma for sharing her story but did not indicate an immediate action at the meeting. In remarks after the comment, the board noted public comment is for the board to listen and that personnel‑specific complaints require administrative follow‑up through appropriate channels.
What happens next: Board policies referenced during the meeting prohibit public comment about identifiable personnel or students by name; the board indicated staff would research concerns and follow up with the student and family as appropriate per established procedures.