Disturbing Accounts Of Rampant Bullying Shared At Packed Meeting

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — It was a packed house during a marathon meeting of the Springfield Board of Education Monday night, as parents flocked to share disturbing accounts of bullying incidents they say have gone unaddressed by the school district.

More than 20 parents spoke out against how Springfield schools handles bullying, an issue that's been in the forefront lately due to the highly-publicized story of fourth grader Emma Spektor. The Thelma L. Sandmeier School student has not attended class since September, after her mother refused to return her due to bullying issues.

Several parents came to back up the Spektors, and offer their own traumatizing experiences of bullying in the district.

Parent Diane Defilippis said her son, Giovanni, was bullied while attending James Caldwell Elementary School. She said kids in the school even created an “I hate Gio” club in school. “My son said to me it would be better if I were not here on Earth because it would make the kids in school feel better,” Defilippis said.

When the investigation into the bullying of Gio concluded, school administrators told her the allegations were unfounded, Defilippis said. “If this behavior doesn’t end, it will be a sad day in Springfield when we all have to come together and bury a child!" Defilippis said as she left the room in tears.

Another parent said his daughter was bullied on a social media app with a video of another boy at Caldwell School calling his daughter an “F’in B” and “nappy head.” An investigation into that incident also found the allegations unfounded despite video evidence, the parent said.

The incidences of bullying stem back years — even decades, some parents said.

One parent whose child is no longer in the school system described a bullying incident 17 years ago that has left him with "permanent psychological damage."

She said her son was dumped in a classroom and a student threw toilet water on him. “He stunk like urine,” she noted.

An investigation into that incident found the allegations to be unsubstantiated, the parent said. “Still to this day I hold this district responsible for the lack of action and follow-up in that case,” the resident said.

The meeting lasted until 11 p.m., and parents filled all of the seats on the main floor, with the crowd overflowing to the balcony. Many were left standing as they waited for a turn to address the board.

A portion of the meeting delved into a back-and-forth between Superintendent Michael Davino and Irina Spektor, Emma's mother. Davino opened the public portion with a 20-point speech attempting to correct what he claimed were half-truths reported by Spektor and parroted by the media.

“We have been experiencing adult bullying. The most vicious bullying has been directed at Principal (Michael Plias) from some community members,” Davino said. “These folks who care for your children have received vicious and vulgar voice mails and emails.”

Davino went on to discredit Irina and Emma’s accounts and claimed the only reason Irina wanted Emma moved was because she didn’t like the teacher. He also noted their bullying accounts were “unsubstantiated.”

He said Emma was reportedly seen at the homes of her alleged bullies, and that an offer to move Emma to another school had been extended.

Irina countered all of Davino’s claims and wanted make sure her “words and my child’s words, more importantly, were not twisted.”

She went on to say that there didn’t need to be an investigation of the bullying. She was not out to get anyone in trouble, she was just concerned about Emma’s feelings and wanting her to feel comfortable at school.

“Her opinion is the only opinion that matters, she felt bad… my child in the case is the victim,” Irina said. “The school seems to be working definitely not with parents or of the wellbeing of the child which is the opposite of where they should be."

Irina also noted that the offer to move Emma to another school only was sent to her attorney at 12:39 p.m. that same day.

Many parents commented on Davino’s demeanor during the public session asking him to apologize and work together with parents.

“Your body language is an amazing phenomenon. Watching you all night. You almost seem annoyed. That’s emotional bullying to me," said Barbara Wall, a former Springfield teacher.

“The truth of the matter is we wouldn’t be here tonight if you would have simply opened your heart and doors to Emma and her mother and father. … Open your door. She’s a little girl and this will scar her for the rest of her life,” Wall continued.

“Mr. Davino you need to apologize sir… you work for us, you have to listen to the people,” said Fred Scott, a resident.

“Mr. Davino the hardest thing a man can do is admit they are wrong,” said another Springfield parent. He went on to describe how he attended the meeting for his daughter, who attends James Caldwell Elementary and also had issues with bullying there.

Davino did not respond to any comments from the public.

The next meeting will be held on Nov. 20.

RELATED:

• Springfield 4th Grader Won't Go To School Because Of Bullies, Mom's Plea For New Classroom Rejected
• 6 Weeks Later, Bullied Springfield Student Is Still Out Of School
• Students Shouldn't Have Same Class, Teacher Two Years In A Row, 'Frustrated' Parents Say

Watch Now: Disturbing Accounts Of Rampant Bullying Shared At Packed Meeting

(Images by Alexis Tarrazi)

Photo 1 - Sylvia Gils Caggiano, an organizor of Limit Looping.

Photo 2 - Irina Spektor.

Photo 3 - Parents describing how their daughter was bullied as well.

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