Bullying, Looping Discussed At Springfield BOE Meeting

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — Nearly 20 parents took to the microphone once again on Monday night to address the Springfield Board of Education on two main issues: Bullying and looping.

The public portion lasted about two hours as parents passionately spoke asking the board for solutions on the bullying “epidemic” and for more communication with the public.

Compared to the Nov. 6 meeting there was a lot more dialogue, back and forth between board members and the public. Some of it was not always pleasant and sometimes combative on both sides but overall several residents expressed that they learned more about the bullying process.

Lisa Mury Riley and her daughter Chandler, who previously shared their bullying story with Patch last week, also drove up from South Jersey to speak. The family ended up moving to get away from the bullying.

Chandler, now a sixth-grader in Brick, shared her personal story with the board and how moving has helped her.

“I am happy to tell you that within three months at the new school, I have students who like me and appreciate my company. I don’t know how in Springfield schools I could go six years where people could be so mean,” Chandler said.

• See Related: Springfield Family Moves To Get Away From Bullies

Many parents were touched by Chandler’s story and referenced it throughout the meeting.

Another parent, Michael Ahrens also shared how his daughter Marisa was bullied in school. That she had her pants stolen in gym class and was unable to change afterwards. Ahrens was specifically concerned with how the administration communicated and treated his daughter and himself when he reported the issue.

He claimed the school told him that “it was not a big deal.” But when he left without signing his daughter out of school, the police were called on him. He also noted that when he told his daughter to stand up and defend herself by hitting the aggressor if necessary he was warned by the school that is was not appropriate.

Other parents that spoke were asking the school to come up with solutions to the bullying issue. That even if the situation didn’t rise to the level of being considered Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying, the school should still take action.

Superintendent Michael Davino noted that an investigation is always conducted on every reported incident. However, there are strict criterias that needs to be met by the state to be considered an HIB incident. Additionally, Davino noted that action is taken even if the HIB investigation comes back negative but the school is not allowed to tell the other parent what has been done to protect the privacy of the accused student.

BOE Vice President Scott Silverstein noted the district brought in a new program last year called “Bullies2Buddies.” And the district also takes action by having the aggressor or the victim sit with a guidance counselor or principal to try and handle the incidents.

Silvestein also noted that the board has spent many extra hours discussing the HIB situations and also hinted that a HIB presentation would be made to the public to better educate everyone on the process.

Jason Silverfine was happy with the dialogue from the board and asked for more open communication with parents.

“In the past three minutes I have heard a more compassionate response than I have heard in months," he said. “All I normally hear is we did our job but maybe there is more job to be done.”

All of the comments were started due to the situation with Emma Spektor, a Thelma L. Sandmeier School fourth-grader, who has been out of school for two months after her mother refused to return her due to bullying issues. Spektor has been asking the board to move Emma to a new classroom but her request has not been granted.

• See Related: Springfield 4th Grader Won't Go To School Because Of Bullies, Mom's Plea For New Classroom Rejected

One parent, Dr. Joy Sudler, specifically asked the board why Emma was not able to be moved. The board’s attorney Kerri Wright claimed an explanation was given to Emma’s family attorney but Irina, Emma's mom, denied these claims.

Both the school and the Spektor family are in litigation and undergoing a court-ordered remediation to resolve the issue.

Looping was also brought up at the meeting. Several parents asked for an opt-out policy. However, Silverstein and Davino noted how offering that option would affect scheduling of students.

Sylvia Gils Caggiano, who helped form the Limit Looping initiative with several other parents, noted that several school districts already offer an opt-out option and that it could be done. Hundreds of parents have signed a petition on the group's website asking for a opt-out policy.

• See Related: Students Shouldn't Have Same Class, Teacher Two Years In A Row, 'Frustrated' Parents Say

Board member Hilary Turnbull asked for those policies so Springfield could review them.

Nothing was ultimately decided or resolved on looping or bullying. The next meeting will be held on Dec. 4 with open session starting at 8 p.m.

(Image via Alexis Tarrazi: Chandler Riley, a former Springfield student, shared her bullying story with the board. Her family recently moved from Springfield to get away from the bullying.)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.