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Despite the fact that the incident happened over three weeks ago, it didn't materialize as a news story until last week. The Ames Tribune was working last week on a story for our group of newspapers that they ran last Friday. The Tribune's story and the stories I've seen from other news sources don't say a whole lot. Basically, all of the reporters have confirmed that an incident took place and that Nevada school officials say they are investigating what happened. Jim Walker, superintendent of schools, has told me the investigation is now complete and an expulsion hearing has been scheduled.
I've had the opportunity to talk with a number of community members, off the record, about the incident that occurred. The details I have heard are consistent from every person with whom I've visited. I can't, however, confirm any details, because the school district is, and probably has to be, tight-lipped at this time about the facts in this case, and law enforcement officials are not involved at this point. The school has been asked by several media sources if the attack was of a sexual nature. School officials aren't commenting.
Because the school district isn't quick to come out and deny that this act was of a sexual nature causes me to think the worst. If it is found that this attack was of a "sexual nature," then we are not just talking about an incident, but, to put it bluntly, "a crime," and that is deeply troubling.
The Nevada School Board states often that its top priority is "student achievement." That's an honorable priority and one that I've appreciated over the years. But as a parent, and especially as a parent who is hearing that something terrible happened to a student who was away on an innocent trip to improve his basketball skills, my top priority is my child's safety, because if my child doesn't feel safe, he or she won't have the ability to "achieve." I want to thank school board member Marcia Engler for addressing this very concern Monday evening. It appears the district will make student safety a priority in the coming year.
Many community members are questioning whether or not this incident has been handled correctly by the school district, and it's O.K. to question how things have or have not been handled. That's our right as citizens and as taxpayers, and oftentimes, questions can lead to positive changes. But, as a parent myself, I have to be honest - I am much more interested right now in focusing my attention on what will happen from this point.
I think I speak for a number of Nevada parents when I say to the school board: "This incident cannot be swept under a rug." While the district may not be able to share student records with the public, the district has a responsibility to let us know if a crime was committed. If no crime was committed, then let us know that, and help us understand what happened and what's being done to address it.
When it comes to attacking, hazing or harassing fellow students, this incident is a golden opportunity for the school district to send a clear and strong message to all students and parents in the district that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. Whether the issue at hand is a sexual attack or just an attack bad enough that the parents needed to come and get their boys, it's an attack that happened on a school board-approved trip, and the school district needs to let us know what measures will be put in place to hopefully be sure there is no repeat incident.
In addition to sending a strong message about bullying, our district would be wise to look into a stronger anti-bullying educational program for students, a program that helps all students know what bullying is and what to do if they are being bullied or attacked by another student or a group of students. I also agree with Engler that, in this day when there are so many types of attacks and so many laws protecting everyone's rights, the staff may need additional training to know exactly how to deal with these types of situations. And maybe, additional chaperones are needed for trip, to assure that students are never left unsupervised.
I hope that the student attacked in this incident is able to lean on family and true friends to find the support he needs to move forward. I hope he knows that many of us in Nevada are concerned for him.
As for the students who caused the incident, let's hope the school district sets a no-tolerance precedent. The district needs to work with these parents to find a way to be sure that these boys be given some help dealing with whatever issues they have that allowed them to instigate and be a part of such an incident. I would think that their parents would want to get them some help, because not getting them help for their problems is like saying, "You're just not worth it," or even worse, "It's no big deal."
It is a big deal. A very big deal, and I believe that all kids are worth it. They all deserve a chance, but getting that chance, or even that second chance, needs to come only after those who have done something wrong face strict consequences for their actions and are held accountable for what they have done.
I do not envy Nevada school officials or the school board in dealing with this matter. But deal with it they must. Let's hope they do what's right so that this community can move past this ordeal and begin to heal.
(Marlys Barker is editor of the Nevada Journal.)
