Forum exposes official side of bullying
When bullying is reported in a school, the consequences can be immediate: an intervention process begins followed in some instances by criminal prosecution.
But what happens when a teacher or administrator is part of the problem?
This was a concern among some of the 60 people who attended a bullying forum held Nov. 2 at Cape Henlopen High School.
It was the fourth time the high school has sponsored a bullying event in conjunction with Beebe Medical Center and the second time Attorney General Beau Biden has attended.
Biden spent the day at Cape High speaking to students about bullying and continued his anti-bullying message during the forum.
"It doesn't seem like it's getting better; it seems like it's getting worse," he said. "Bullying is about the abuse of power. Every organization I've been a part of has had one."
When the floor was opened for comments, a number of parents and students expressed frustration with the failure of administrators and teachers to address bullying situations. A Millsboro parent said she was forced to choice her son into Cape Henlopen after he was bullied on a Facebook page created by a dozen honor students, and the Indian River administration did nothing.
Her comments were followed by several Cape students and parents who said some administrators and teachers are part of the problem, even bullies themselves.
"A lot of time if you say the teacher is causing a problem, you hit a stone wall," said Kelly Hartnett, a student at Cape Henlopen High School.
She said there are teachers who know bullying is going on in the classroom or hallways but do nothing.
As Biden began a general answer to Kelly's concern, a parent interrupted to say he was not answering the question.
"Please let me finish," he said, adding he had listened to concerns all night and it was his turn to speak.
He continued to suggest the student go to the principal with concerns, and if nothing is done at that level, to call him. Cape Henlopen Assistant Principal Terry Wilkinson reminded the audience that typically 70 percent of people do not get involved when they see someone bullied.
Parent Shelby Handlin responded by saying teachers should be held to a higher standard.
"I don't care what 70 percent of people do. You're teachers," she said.
Handlin also suggested schools adopt statewide protocols to help guide them through the process when bullying concerns are raised.
Parent Laura Willey-Brittingham said she's run into stonewalling involving a teacher and administrator at Mariner Middle School. She said her child has been ostracized and even bullied by a teacher, after Willey-Brittingham went in to discuss a situation at the school. A subsequent meeting with the administration also did not resolve the problem, she said.
Biden said in instances like that, parents should call his office and speak with ombudsman Joe Flynn at 800-220-5414.
"We want to make administrators and teachers accountable," Biden said.
