Social media is exploding with debate about bullying going unresolved in the Shawano School District, prompting Superintendent Kurt Krizan to send out a two-page letter to parents outlining how officials deal with bullying.
Shawano Let’s Talk About It has had at least two posts in recent days from parents who have pulled their children from the public schools because the bullying is out of control.
Pamela Rollins-Hermann, of Black Creek, posted on Shawano Let’s Talk About It on Oct. 20 claiming that Shawano’s public schools are protecting bullies. She did not specify which school in her initial post, but when another Facebook user asked, Rollins-Hermann said the bullying happened at Shawano Community Middle School and that she has pulled her son out of the school because of bullying.
“Know they will not protect them,” Rollins-Hermann wrote. “It’s okay to bully other children and get away with it. This is the message the school is sending go ahead and bully others and there are no consequences. Shame on the schools and the adults that allow this to happen.”
Murphy Hartwig, of Pulcifer, posted on Shawano Let’s Talk About It on Oct. 22 announcing she was pulling her daughter out of Shawano Community High School because of bullying.
“How many parents besides myself are tired of the way they handle bullying, medical issues and more?” Hartwig wrote. “Also when is the next board or PTO (parent-teacher organization) meeting that parents are able to speak at? Something needs to change.”
In 2023, the district received unwelcome notoriety after a cellphone video showing a SCMS student assaulting another student and being posted on Instagram. Shortly after that, the school forbade the use of cellphones at the school.
Krizan wrote in his letter that the district uses the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to find out about a variety of issues, which includes bullying and school climate, once every two years. However, the most current results are not available to the district, he wrote.
“When the results become available, we will review the findings and consider how they can inform our prevention efforts, student supports, and future programming,” Krizan wrote. “Survey data is one valuable source of information, but it does not replace the need to report individual concerns so they can be addressed when they occur.”
Krizan recommended parents contact teachers and administrators whenever they find out about bullying. Tips can also be submitted via the Speak Up and Speak Out website through the Wisconsin Department of Justice at speakup.wisdoj.gov.
“We cannot address a problem we do not know about,” Krizan wrote. “While we understand that families may discuss concerns with one another, it is essential that reports reach the district through an appropriate reporting channel so we have the opportunity to investigate, understand what occurred, and take appropriate action. If you have reported a concern and believe it has not been adequately addressed, please follow up with the building principal or district administration.”
Krizan noted in his letter that social media is not the ideal way to develop solutions for individual student problems.
“Social media can provide a place for people to share concerns and seek support, but it is not the most effective way to resolve an individual student situation,” he wrote. “Online conversations often lack important context, and the district cannot investigate a concern based solely on a social media post. Public discussions can also unintentionally compromise student privacy or place students and staff in difficult situations.”
At the beginning of the letter, Krizan wrote that bullying issues are taken seriously at the district.
“Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported at school,” he wrote. “Bullying can have a lasting impact on students and families, and we recognize the concern and frustration that can arise when a child experiences difficulties with peers. As a district, we take these concerns seriously and remain committed to creating a positive school environment where every student feels a sense of belonging.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
