Dear Editor:

Recently, the school’s response to a purported bullying incident was questioned in a letter to the paper. The real issue underlying the letter was not the school’s response or the alleged lack of response to the parent’s concerns. The real issue was the parent’s disagreement with the disciplinary actions taken by the school.

The parent discussed the issue with the teacher, a principal, the assistant superintendent for elementary instruction, the superintendent and her school board member. Each undertook some combination of phone, email or in person discussions with the parent. The parent also was offered a further opportunity to have the issue heard by the school board in closed session. She declined.

The parent’s frustration in this matter, therefore, is not with an inability to be heard by, have contact with, speak to or have the issue taken seriously by school personnel. The frustration stems from how the school’s resolved to the matter.

The response, to any misdeed committed by a student, is based on several factors including: the act committed, the disciplinary record and the age of the offending child. The solution to this or any disciplinary offense cannot be fully discussed, because federal and state laws prevent the dissemination of student disciplinary records. I can say that, as part of the solution to this matter, I recommended having the children and parents meet to discuss the issues between them and attempt to find a resolution to the difficulties. The parent stated my suggestion was an attempt to find a fast solution and not a good solution.

The parent informed me that she asked the school resource officer to process a juvenile complaint against the offending child. This means, in effect, a nine year old child was arrested and must have their case go before the Court Services Unit for review.

Herein is the heart of the disagreement between the parent and a wide range of people viewing this incident.

I believe, only in extreme cases should law enforcement be involved in incidents between nine year old children.

Nine year olds do not have a fully developed understanding of their actions and act impulsively. Do we, as a society, want nine year olds arrested for misbehavior at school when the school already has taken appropriate action? I think not.

The school division and I take bullying very seriously. The definition of and punishments for bullying are clearly stated in the Code of Conduct. We make every effort to address timely and fully any bullying.

Jason Moore
Powhatan School Board Member, District 2