Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Students tell Shoreham‑Wading River board bullying has escalated; ask for proactive protections
Summary
Multiple high‑school students spoke at the May 5 board meeting about bullying and harassment in the middle school, including reports of targeted anti‑LGBTQ incidents and requests for more visible district support and proactive steps such as a middle‑school GSA and board engagement with student leaders.
A group of Shoreham‑Wading River students told the Board of Education on May 5 that incidents of bullying and harassment in the middle school have escalated and that district action should be more proactive.
"As a member of the queer community, I have had many personal experiences with targeted bullying and harassment while in school," student Robert Darren said, urging administrators to establish "a safe space for people of all ages, students, staff, and faculty." Darren identified himself as a junior and vice president of the high‑school GSA.
Harla Scouso, who identified herself as a senior and president of the high‑school GSA, told the board she had experienced severe bullying in middle school and said many students still lack clearly identified safe adults. "Now I stand here before you, 5 years later reliving every horrible thing that happened to me because for the first time in years, I'm scared," she told the board, adding students want to offer assistance to district staff to make schools more accepting.
Other student speakers reinforced the call for visible, consistent supports: Everett McClintock (senior and GSA treasurer) urged proactive measures and offered the GSA’s help; Ashley Mills (junior, GSA secretary) emphasized that middle‑school students lack a GSA or equivalent support structure; and Kevin Lascalso (tenth grader) urged clearer communications after incidents impacting LGBTQ+ students.
Ex‑officio student representative Isabelle Sherrill also asked the board to "make sure that you're doing the most you can to not just protect all of your students, but your teachers as well," describing the need for proactive, not solely reactive, responses to misconduct.
The superintendent, Drew Poole, thanked students for speaking and offered district support: "My door is always open. Please, let's find some time, to meet," he said, and added that "Hate speech for the LGBTQ students in this district will never be tolerated." Board members suggested follow‑up including participation by board members in a GSA meeting so students’ ideas can be discussed directly before seniors graduate.
Next steps: board members and administration said they will meet with student leaders and building administrators to discuss concrete follow‑ups, including exploring a middle‑school GSA and improving visibility of supports and reporting pathways.
Attributions: Quotes and claims are attributable to the students and district officials who spoke during the public‑comment portion of the May 5 meeting.
