Bullying A Big Topic At Most Recent Middletown School Board Meeting

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — As the Middletown community is still reeling from the death of a 14-year-old local girl in September, bullying was a big topic at the most recent BOE meeting, held Sept. 20.

At the meeting, Board president Frank Capone said the board and district is continuing to investigate "those involved in this tragedy," referring to the death of Jocelyn Walters, but he stressed he was legally not permitted to say anything more.

"Our community has experienced an unimaginable loss of Jocelyn," Capone began by saying at the start of the public comment portion of the meeting. "As we open the floor for public comment, we know some of you may come here to speak about allegations of bullying in the district. Please note first, this board will not tolerate bullying of any kind."

"Secondly, we cannot comment or respond publicly to any questions about this matter," he continued. "Please do not interpret this as a lack of response from this board or ignoring this matter. The district has a process to follow and obligation of those involved in this tragedy. We will continue to follow that process with our administrative team, professionals and I again offer my prayers to the Walters family and to the school community."

The Walters family has not released any new public statements following the death of their daughter, Jocelyn 'Jocey' Walters in mid September. She died when she had just started her sophomore year at Middletown High School North, and was a goalie for a travel soccer team.

After Capone's remarks, a mother with a freshman and senior at Middletown High School South then got up and addressed the board about bullying and intimidation in some Middletown sports teams.

She was not specific as to which teams.

"I know I've raised this before, but we really need everyone to take a closer look at the teams. I know some teams are doing an amazing job. And I know some aren't," said the mom, Denise Thompson. "I've seen a number of kids over the last year leave the sport they love because of the coaching. Or the relationships or what's happening on the team. It's unfortunate and it's heartbreaking."

"I know I just heard of one (student) that just left the team yesterday — as a senior. Please make sure we are tapping into this."

Her comment was met with claps from the other parents in the audience.

"I personally did not know Jocelyn, but I'm heartbroken about her story," said another Middletown woman, Rachael Kanapka. "I have two 10th graders, so the age really hit hard for me and hearing her story really affected me and that's why I'm here. I think we all know something needs to be done and I want to ask you guys, the district and the board, how we the parents can work with you to keep something like this from happening again."

"I know there is a strict legal definition of bullying ... but well below the threshold of bullying, there are incidents of meanness and disrespect that happen in our schools every single day," she continued. "Since Jocelyn's death, I have heard so many stories from parents in our district about kids mistreating other kids. I had no idea this was happening and I don't think any of us are aware of how widespread it is because not everything is getting reported. We have to all look this in the face. It's not something we as a district should be embarrassed about. It's reality and it's our collective problem."

At the time of Jocelyn's death, her family did say they want to start a foundation to raise awareness of the issues teens are battling with today, including prescription drugs, social media, the pandemic, bullying and lack of psychiatric help.

"Our teens need our help. There are issues that are not being spoken about," previously said a family friend in this article about Jocelyn's death. "How many more kids does this have to take to have things change?"

See the Sept. 20 meeting here; the discussion on bullying starts just past the 2-hour mark, 2:00: