Zero-tolerance bullying policies in schools are more complex than most parents think. While the term “zero tolerance” may sound straightforward, the reality is that the policy is multifaceted. This complexity often leads to the persistence of bullying incidents.
Schools are required to adhere to specific guidelines before they can expel a student, even in cases involving physical assaults. According to the National Association of Psychologists, zero-tolerance policies typically result in disciplinary actions, with suspension being the most commonly implemented measure for a wide range of offenses.
The Moreno Valley School District in California had to pay $27 million in a settlement after numerous complaints were made by the guardians of Diego Stolz, a 13-year-old boy who was being bullied.
Unfortunately, the relentless bullying eventually led to Diego’s tragic death. Following the passing of his parents, Juana and Felipe Salcedo became Diego’s guardians and did everything in their power to put an end to the bullying. Despite their efforts, Diego was subjected to a final act of aggression that caused him to hit his head on a pillar.
A cellphone video captured the incident, revealing Diego with his hands at his sides, clearly indicating that he did not want to fight. The two minors responsible for the bullying were sentenced to 47 days in juvenile hall and required to undergo anger management counseling.
Despite Salcedo’s pleas to the school and Diego reporting the bullying to a teacher, no action was taken. The Assistant Principal got involved and promised to change Diego’s class schedule to protect him from the bullies. However, nothing came of it.
A tragic incident occurred where a young boy lost his life, despite the fact that zero tolerance measures were not implemented.
Is it time to horse around?
According to medical records, the young boy had suffered a neck contusion, which is a result of blunt trauma to the neck.
The mother of the boy expressed her confusion and disbelief, stating, “It doesn’t make sense to me. If you’re horseplaying, how do you get caught on a hook? We need answers. I want answers, and we won’t stop until we get answers.”
The school released an additional statement on Sunday, categorically denying any online speculation about a potential cover-up of the incident.
“The school principal and the school system are not concealing anything,” stated the school spokesperson. “Instead, we are providing as much information as possible while we carry out a thorough investigation.
The investigation is still in progress, and speculating about what occurred or did not occur, as well as spreading false information, hampers the investigation process.”
The 7-year-old was in grave danger as he clung onto that hook. Schools strive to avoid any incidents that indicate a lack of zero-tolerance policy enforcement leading to severe injuries. Unfortunately, due to the intricacies of the policy, perpetrators often find their way back onto school grounds.
In California, bullying in schools is defined as the occurrence of severe or pervasive physical or verbal acts or conduct, according to the information provided on the website stopbullying.gov. It is important to note that these policies do not automatically result in the removal of the perpetrator from the school campus.
Instead, school districts are required to follow specific procedures when a bullying incident is reported. This includes receiving written statements from the students involved, establishing a timeline, conducting a thorough investigation, ensuring protection for the complainants against any form of retaliation, and maintaining documentation of the complaints and their resolution for at least one review cycle.
Anti-bullying and zero-tolerance policies appear to be written in a vague manner, which calls for a more serious examination by states like California, as highlighted by the two stories in this article.
If your child has experienced bullying, it is important to promptly report it to the school. As the school implements its guidelines designed to safeguard the victim, if the bullying persists, it is crucial to escalate the matter to the Superintendent of Schools. It is essential to continue advocating for your child’s right to receive an education free from fear.
We empathize with the families affected by the incidents discussed in this article. It is our hope that these events will prompt a reevaluation of the zero-tolerance bullying policies in schools.