Teacher accused of bully incident: Administration says it will review third charge



WESTBOROUGH -- The school administration will review the district's anti-bullying policies after a third parent has come forward alleging that her child was bullied by a teacher.

School Committee Chairman Rod Jane directed the school administration Wednesday to conduct a thorough review of the policies regarding teacher and student bullying.

"I think this is a way to understand the policies in place currently before making any changes," Jane said.

Assistant Superintendent Les Olson said the administration will review the policy and determine whether a more comprehensive bullying plan that covers the entire district is in order.

That determination will be shared with the committee at its next meeting, Olson said.

School officials Wednesday heard from a third parent -- Gail Ellis -- who said that her child had been bullied by a teacher. The teacher, whom Ellis did not name, is still in the school system and has not been sanctioned.

"I'm happy to see that the committee is beginning to deal with this very difficult issue," she said.

The issue began to pick up steam on April 7, when Tara Howard informed a surprised School Committee that she had been dealing with a bully teacher for more than two years. During that time, Howard said she had two meetings with Superintendent Stephen Dlott, as well as numerous meetings with other school officials.

She told the committee Wednesday that she was "delighted" to hear that the administration plans to take action on the matter.

Two weeks after Howard appeared before the committee, Lara Ragunas voiced similar concerns and requested a subcommittee be formed consisting of parents, administrators and school staff to look into reforming procedures that would protect both students and teachers.

Neither the parents nor school officials have named any specific teachers.

"I've had general complaints both involving students and parents," Jane said after the meeting. He added that school officials are likely dealing with a "small minority of students and teachers."

In an interview, Ragunas said she knew of at least five teachers in the school system who have allegedly bullied students.

The alleged teacher-student bullying has taken the form of verbal harassment, Jane said.

On Wednesday, Ragunas presented school officials with a copy of the Mill Pond student handbook, which identifies bullying as a serious offense that warrants an in-school or out-of-school suspension.

"At present, the school system's procedure's stop at assistance when the individual involved is an adult member of school staff," Ragunas said in a statement. "Consequently, children are being held to higher standards and receive more intense repercussions, than the adults who supervise them."

She characterized the school district's policy for dealing with parent complaints as "inefficient" and "negligent."

"These issues are emotionally wrenching for the children and the parents involved," she said. "The absence of a progressive, time sensitive policy is insensitive and unacceptable."

Jane said personnel matters fall under the jurisdiction of the school administration, while the School Committee is charged with making policy decisions.

Any disciplinary action taken against a teacher -- from a warning to a decision to fire that person -- must comply with the state's Education Reform Act and the town's collective bargaining agreements, Jane said.

"It is a little bit more difficult than the private sector, where action is taken immediately," he said.

He stressed that the school board takes the bullying issue "very seriously."

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