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Parents tell board Parkland High failed students; speakers demand systemic review after hospitalization
Summary
Several parents and family members described alleged persistent bullying at Parkland High, said administrative responses were inadequate and that one student is hospitalized; they demanded immediate systematic review of handling procedures and changes to keep victims in school and move aggressors.
A string of emotional public comments described what speakers said were repeated failures to protect students at Parkland High School. Darby DeHaven and Julie Kalinowski told the board that bullying reports had not been investigated or resolved to their satisfaction and that one student is in an inpatient facility after an alleged school-based crisis. Kalinowski said her daughter, who has an IEP, was effectively kept home on a physician's recommendation while the alleged aggressors remained in class.
"She is there because Parkland High School failed to keep her safe," Kalinowski said of her daughter. Speakers demanded an immediate, systematic review of how principals handle harassment and safety plans, asked that victims not be displaced from their classes, and insisted on clearer data: numbers of bullying complaints, counts of students on safety plans, schedule changes made to separate aggressors and victims, and evidence that interventions are working.
Board members and the superintendent expressed sympathy and said they take allegations seriously, described existing prevention programs (elementary PBIS, middle-school anti-bullying work, high-school character education), and pledged to follow up confidentially with families and provide additional administrative review. The board did not take a policy vote tonight but accepted comments and requested staff follow-up on specific allegations that were brought forward.
