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Students and residents urge Massapequa board to act on bullying after recent losses
Summary
Dozens of students, recent graduates and residents told the Massapequa Union Free School District board that bullying is pervasive and called for a student‑led task force, stronger consequences and staff training; the board listened but made no immediate policy change at the meeting.
Dozens of current and former students and residents told the Massapequa Union Free School District Board of Education on June 25 that bullying and a harmful school culture have contributed to recent student deaths and ongoing safety concerns.
“Why am I always the one expected to change?” said Tyler, a student, describing repeated reports of bullying and what he called inadequate responses. Other speakers echoed that they felt unsafe at school and urged the board to establish an independent task force of students, parents, counselors, teachers and community members to assess school culture, gather student data and make publicly reported recommendations.
Resident Dawn Muscanara said the district should adopt a broad “no harm” grading policy and urged the board to be proactive on behalf of students. A recent graduate who spoke at the meeting asked the board to “investigate and prove me wrong” if the district believes there is no cultural problem. Multiple student speakers described harassment they said went unaddressed, including slurs, online abuse and threats, and asked for clearer reporting, bystander training and restorative practices.
A child clinical psychologist and parent who addressed the board outlined evidence-based steps research shows reduce bullying: sustained whole‑school approaches, mandatory staff reporting protocols, bystander empowerment training and restorative justice options for disciplinary follow-up. She said families the group represents have reported fear, hospitalizations and urgent mental‑health needs that they trace to school climate.
Board members repeatedly thanked speakers and said they had heard the testimony. The board chair said public comment rules prevent extended back-and‑forth on matters that could involve litigation and that any necessary follow-up would be noted and addressed through appropriate channels. The public comment period ended without the board voting on new anti‑bullying policy or launching a task force during the meeting.
What happens next: the board adjourned public session to return to executive session on personnel matters. Several speakers asked the district to produce a tangible action plan; the meeting record shows no formal board action on a task force during the June 25 session.
