Great Bend Post
The USD 431 Hoisington Board of Education heard from the mother and grandfather
of a middle school student at Monday’s meeting. Molly Brewer (mother) and Wayne Stout (grandfather) reported that the
student was a victim of cyber bullying on district grounds and want improved
policies in place to prevent the incidents from happening again.
Stout said another student took photos of his
granddaughter while she was undressing in the locker room at the Hoisington
Middle School. Those photos were then posted on online.
"Comments of some people may view this picture as a bathing suit top, like it's no big deal," said Stout. "Well, it is a big deal to a 13-year-old who thinks she has privacy undressing in a USD 431 locker room. Little does she know that her privacy rights are being violated behind her back."
According to the family, the girl that took the photos received two days of In-School Suspension (ISS), but the cyber bullying continued after it was first
reported.
"The district's cell phone policy has first, second and third offense, but it's only for having a phone in a classroom," said Brewer. "There's nothing in there about what we're talking about now."
A male teacher runs the P.E. class for both the boys and girls at the middle
school. While there is a guideline that states cell phones should be left in a
folder upon entering the locker room, there is no one in place to enforce the
policy inside the girls’ locker room.
"Before she goes to school, she's putting on her athletic clothes and putting her street clothes over it because she doesn't trust the locker rooms," said Stout. "She stated if she doesn't have her athletic clothes on, she goes to a bathroom stall, closes the stall door and puts on her P.E. clothes. That is a student that does not feel safe in your locker rooms."
The family noted they have contacted law enforcement about the matter, referred
to as a “breach of privacy,” and statements have been taken.
"Nothing is being enforced because it's still continuing," said Brewer. "When I ask my daughter to speak up, she says 'what's the point' because nothing is being enforced."
The USD 431 school board appreciated the family sharing their story and
mentioned the board would look at improving current policies.
Listen below to the discussion regarding the cyber bullying topic at the USD 431 Board of Education meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022.