Sewanhaka Central High School District Adopts New Policy on Harassment

Written by Rich Forestano Friday, 30 April 2010 00:00

Resident Speaks Out on Daughter’s Troubles

The Sewanhaka Central High School District adopted a new board policy on harassment, hazing and bullying at its Board of Education meeting on April 27. The board said it was committed to providing an environment that promotes respect and equality among its students.

Furthermore, the board stated that any type of bullying will not be tolerated in the district. But in terms of the new policy, it singles out the terms mentioned in physical, but also written, verbal and in electronic form. The board stressed that if any student has fallen victim to such a threat, to tell their parents and contact the district immediately.

According to the district’s agenda of the evening, it says that “if after appropriate investigation, the district finds that a student, an employee or a third party has violated this policy, prompt corrective action will be taken in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreement, district policy and state law.”

The board concluded that this policy extends toward communication that threatens another on the basis, “race, color, national origin, creed, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic status, class or club affiliation or other distinguishing characteristic.”

Trustee David Del Santo stressed at the meeting that the board needs to put this policy on the fast track as soon as possible to avoid harmful incidents. He feels that it’s a step in the right direction.

“I think that it’s imperative that this school board takes the harassing, hazing and bullying policy and fast track it and makes sure it gets wide dissemination and gives direction to the schools in the district,” he said. “I’m aware of the situation and it has occurred at New Hyde Park Memorial [High School].”

Del Santo went on to say that this policy will not only show if they’re doing their job right, but that it will give not only students the idea of the right course of action, but the administrators as well. “This new board policy, I think, will go a long way in giving direction to our administrators on how to proceed when an instance like this occurs,” he said.

A parent in the district spoke, saying that her daughter attended Elmont Memorial High School for seventh and eighth grade, but transferred to private school because she was being harassed incessantly and provoked to fight. The parent said that she went up to the school to speak with the assistant principal and was told that the school psychologist would meet with both girls weekly to hash out their differences.

As time went on, the parent said, “The girl would still constantly harass my daughter and say mean things to her. She would say ‘I want to fight you’ and other things and my daughter was very upset.”

She said it’s her intention to return her daughter to the district in September and that she’s asking the board to discuss the issue. According to the woman, she originally wanted her daughter to be transferred to another school in the district.

She said she contacted district Superintendent Warren Meierdiercks and that he contacted one of Elmont Memorial’s principals. The parent said she received a letter from Meierdiercks stating because of the zone she lives in, her daughter has to go to Elmont.

“I received two letters from the superintendent’s office telling me ‘no, I cannot have a transfer’ both times and I’m asking you, the board, because I’m trying to avoid another incident occurring. This happened then and it’s happening again. I sat in [Meierdiercks’] office and discussed the issue and I’m still being turned down and I think it’s unfair,” the parent stated.

A few of the board members assured the parent that they would take this matter into consideration. Meierdiercks was not in attendance due to the passing of his mother.