Parents tell Southeast Fountain School Board their children face bullying and inconsistent athletics discipline; board pledges follow-up

Several parents at the Oct. 9 Southeast Fountain School Board meeting urged the board to address what they described as ongoing bullying and inconsistent discipline in the district.

"She has been bullied, antagonized. She's been body shamed," said April, a parent who spoke during the public-comment period, describing incidents she said have occurred since June and saying prior meetings with school administrators produced no corrective action. "She doesn't wanna be here. She doesn't wanna play." April told the board that she felt punished for raising the issue and that no repercussions had been taken against the students she said were responsible.

Randy Rogers, another parent, pressed the board on athletic discipline and selection policies, saying his daughter was suspended after being two minutes late while others were not punished. Rogers described a pattern he called "boys picking on younger girls" and said inconsistent enforcement had led to tensions among parents. He also raised a separate allegation he had heard in past seasons about donated wrestling money temporarily "disappearing" and later reappearing.

RJ Massey, who said his family has previously reported bullying concerns to the administration, told trustees he is "extremely concerned" about the administration's ability to handle bullying impartially, cited an unresolved bus-driver confrontation and said recordings reviewed by administrators did not lead to action.

Board members did not take questions at the meeting. A board member acknowledged the comments, said the board could not respond that night and promised that "somebody will be in contact with each and every one of you that have addressed us tonight." The board asked staff to follow up individually with the parents who spoke.

The public comments highlight two distinct concerns: allegations of student-to-student bullying and questions about how school employees and athletic staff have handled incidents and discipline. Parents asked the board both for clearer, consistent enforcement of athletic rules and for investigation of staff conduct they said contributed to the problem.

The meeting continued with routine business and approvals; the board did not take formal disciplinary action in public session that evening. The board's next steps, as stated at the meeting, are to contact the speakers and review the incidents raised.