Full house for ISD 166 community engagement meeting

About 50 people crowded into the Jane Mianowski Conference Room in the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Wednesday, Nov. 1 for a gathering dubbed a “Community Engagement Meeting.”

Unlike the arrangement for usual school board meetings, chairs in the conference room were arranged in a circle, with school board members scattered amongst the crowd. At the start, those in attendance were asked to introduce themselves. There was a mix of former students, current school staff, parents and grandparents of students and community members.

Superintendent Bill Crandall welcomed all and explained that the meeting had been called in response to school and community concerns about harassment, racial issues, discrimination, bullying and maintaining a welcoming culture in our school and community.

Crandall shared some of the things that the school has done, such as activities during October, which is anti-bullying month, and the establishment of a Diversity/Tolerance Planning Committee. He also talked about steps toward community collaboration, which includes community sessions with the Minnesota Educator Academy’s anti-racism program, FIRE. FIRE stands for Facing Inequities and Racism in Education.

Discussion followed, and the overall tone was very civil. There were many questions about how School District 166 reached this level of community concern.

Several community members asked why it had taken so long for the school to address this issue—and if there would be any repercussions for staff who allowed harassment to continue.  Crandall said he is following up on that. He said he is investigating what took place and said yes, if needed, there could be disciplinary action. However, he added he would not be able to share that information.

There were many questions about support for students who have been bullied and about consequences for the child doing the bullying. Assistant Principal Bill DeWitt answered those questions, describing the recently enacted “positive behavioral interventions” and “alternative delivery of instructional services.”

For a victim of bullying, the new policies include weekly—or sometimes daily—follow-up to ensure the well-being of the child. And, for the child doing the bullying, there is a follow-up educational component.

Denny Fitzpatrick, who tried so hard to speak at the regular school board meeting, said he appreciated the information. He said the community doesn’t need exact details, but information like that given at this meeting is helpful. He said communication from the school is important, a thought echoed by several others.    

Crandall and school board members reiterated that there are things they cannot share, but acknowledged they would have to do better. They pointed to the school communication collaboration committee as something that may help.

And teachers said that some of the stories of students, if they could be shared, are heartbreaking. Social issues at home greatly impact student behavior. High school teacher David Liechty said teachers truly care about all of the students at the school.

Fitzpatrick and several others asked how they could help. Ideas were brought forward such as having volunteers monitor the playground and hallways; having citizens review policies; establishing safe houses for children from troubled homes; donating gift cards to financially distressed families; having a designated communication liaison; and more.

Wrapping things up, Dr. Crandall said the next step will be school-community meetings, facilitated by the Minnesota Educator Academy and its FIRE program. The first meeting has been tentatively set for December 8.

Rhonda Silence shares this report from the meeting.