More Talk From Carol

Bullying experts provide guidance

"We have been working on anti-bullying for years, way before this tragic event," Comeau said, referring to the Central student's attempted suicide.

The district has some 20 anti-bullying programs in place, from peaceful conflict resolution to enhancing decision-making skills to encouraging students to intervene when they see bullying happening. Principals are told to develop a plan that works with their students, Comeau said, adding that many programs draw from Olweus.

The district also has a zero-tolerance policy involving discipline. Students who are attacked, for example, are generally expected to get help from an adult and not hit back. If they do, they're considered a participant and probably also punished.

During the school board election, I was called by parents of special education students who were bullied. One parent in particular, has two children in the school district and they were being bullied. The parents looked to the school teacher for help, the school principal for help, and then went to the School Board, Jerry Sjolander and Carol Comeau for help.

The parents recieved no help from the school district what-so-ever. The comments from one parent was, "she could not stand Jake Metcalfe and hoped he would lose".

Interestingly, I recieved this call from the parents when they had seen the debate on KAKM where I had spoken about the McKay schools in Florida and the reduced bullying in the McKay schools.

It isn't surprising that Carol didn't attend.