Bullying Policy Questioned at Williamsburg School Board

“I want to know when it is going to be too much that our administration stands up and says enough is enough?” asked Tammy Detwiler of Williamsburg at the regular meeting of the Williamsburg Community School Board on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

“My only concern is to raise awareness to all of you that our school has a real issue with bullying [and] harassment,” Detwiler said. “Whether that means our administration is not following proper procedure with punishment, turning a blind eye to certain incidents or are not properly helping children understand that this will not be tolerated. We need ways to help maintain that our students do not have to go to school afraid.”

Detwiler came to the meeting following an incident with her grandson and another child. Her grandson was given in-school suspension for a day and the other child was given detention, she said. Detwiler was among 11 concerned residents who attended the meeting.

Detwiler said that her grandson “received due punishment” for breaking the rules, but the other child has had “multiple issues” with other children, “but continues to walk these halls knowing that nobody will touch him.”

Detwiler also passed out to board members excerpts of statements from parents of other children whom said that the referenced child has also had encounters with.

In the Williamsburg Elementary School Handbook, bullying is defined as, “an intentional electronic written, verbal, or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in a school setting and/or outside a school setting, that is severe, persistent or pervasive, that has the effect of doing any of the following: substantially interfering with a student’s education, creating a threatening environment, or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.”

There is also a list of increasing levels of consequences following the definition of bullying in handbook.

“Is it going to take when he brings something to school and seriously harms a child?” Detwiler asked the board. “Is it going to be when another student has had enough and retaliates to the point of no return? Is it going to be when another child gets so depressed because they can’t take the constant picking and thinks, ‘why tell someone when they won’t do anything anyhow?’ I pray those times do not come because I for one will be that grandparent that will hold our schools accountable.”

Boardmembers said that they could not discuss specific allegations against children because of confidentiality requirements, but urged Detwiler and her family to meet with the elementary principal and superintendent to further discuss matters.

In other business

The board adopted policies regarding postgraduate students, confidential communications of students, health examinations and screenings, use of medications, possession and use of asthma inhalers, use of bicycles and motor vehicles, searches, student government and public performances by students.