Families hopeful new school year brings less bullying

With a new school year underway, bullying is at the forefront of policy. Columbia school staff and volunteers must report bullying they have witnessed or have first-hand knowledge of within two business days of the incident.

Kelli Hopkins, associate executive director for the Missouri School Boards Association, said bullying is taken seriously.

“For our staff, failure to report would result in discipline including potential termination,” she said.

According to state law, “bullying is defined as intimidation, unwanted aggressive behavior, or harassment that is repetitive or is substantially likely to be repeated.”

Amy Spain, a grandmother of a Columbia child said her grandchild has experienced bullying. However, she remains optimistic for the new school year.

“I’m hoping it is going to be totally different than last year when the bullies ran the school,” Spain said.

Caitlin Saunders, a mother of a student in Columbia Public Schools, said she moved her daughter to a different elementary school due to bullying.

She said more discipline is needed.

“Even bullies who act out, who bully, they are looking for that discipline and that action,” Saunders said.

Columbia Public Schools has a bullying report form available online.

A spokesperson for the district said after the form is submitted and reviewed an investigation can begin.