Say that district has ignored the issue

By Kris Leonhardt

Editor

MARSHFIELD — About a half dozen parents addressed the Marshfield School Board at the Nov. 8 meeting, saying that the district has ignored an ongoing bullying issue at Lincoln Elementary School.

The parents individually addressed the board during the public communications section of the regular monthly meeting.

Lincoln parent Kay Langjahr said she began reaching out to parents regarding the school environment, “Because of the accounts of disruption and the soft lockdowns that had taken place that were confirmed by other parents and because of the blatant disregard by the school district administration for the physical and emotional well being of my son, I began reaching out to other parents as best I could.

“The fact that we have heard from parents who have asked about the soft lockdowns that they were not made aware of and were told that the teachers are not allowed to comment is concerning.”

During the meeting, the parents chronicled situations where they felt that their children were bullied and that little was done by the Lincoln staff and/or administration. Some parents resorted to pulling their children from the school.

Lincoln parent Kristina Howey spoke to the board claiming lack of support and addressed a February email she sent to district administration. Recalling the February incident in which she said her child was bullied, she said her child threatened to commit suicide.

“For your information,” Howey said, “the National Center for Education Statistics reports that victims of bullying display a range of responses, even many years later, such as low self esteem, difficulty in trusting others, lack of assertiveness, aggression, difficulty controlling anger, and isolation.

“What business are you in? Because from where I stand, you are in the business of children, which means that you are in the business of the future.

“With the utmost sincerity, I hope that you have never had to question if your child would harm themselves. It is a frightening experience.”

The school board did not respond to the parents’ allegations, nor did it take any action. Lincoln Elementary School Principal Brooke Bargender declined to comment following the meeting.