Huron Board of Education candidates say if Title IX and bullying is being taken seriously at Huron City Schools

HURON – The Huron Board of Education candidates told Huron Insider about if they think Title IX and bullying is currently being taken seriously at Huron City Schools.

This was one of seven questions on a questionnaire that all of the candidates responded to. Huron Insider will be posting one of the questions along with the responses each night this week (August 15-August 21). These articles can be found here.

The Huron Board of Education candidates are John C. Adams, Sherry Catri, Stacey Hartley, Ryan Hathaway, Stacy Hinners, Kimberly King, Andra Kurtz, and Elizabeth Laffay.

The candidates answers to the question “Is Title IX and bullying currently being taken seriously at Huron City Schools?” are below.

Adams:

Once again, without currently sitting on the BOE and knowing policy and how those policies are being followed or not in the system, it is difficult, from the outside to know how seriously Title IX is being taken. If I am seated on the BOE, I intend to work with the other Board members to ensure that it is taken seriously and implemented District wide.

Catri:

In many situations, I believe so. However, there have been situations where the district has failed to protect our children. In my opinion, the common theme is social and family relationships within the community. This is not acceptable! As I read through some public records relating to Title IX complaints filed in the past eight years, I learned of some disturbing issues that were never brought to the board’s attention. It is disconcerting to know that I sat on the board, without knowledge, when these matters took place.

I do believe our teachers, administrators, and support team work hard each day to provide a safe learning environment, but sometimes ignorance of the law leads to errors. I would like to see all employees trained in what Title IX entails and the procedures to be followed.

Hartley:

No, it’s not being taken seriously or handled in a manner I expect from my public school district.

I am what’s called a mandatory Title IX reporter at my workplace. That means I’ve received training on Title IX law and have a duty to report to designated staff if I am aware of a situation or event that might require a Title IX investigation. To be clear, I am not a Title IX coordinator, investigator or decision-maker, which are the three roles part of the formal Title IX investigation process.

I have reviewed the district’s Title IX investigations documents on a dozen cases. These cases concern me greatly.

Our district needs better training on Title IX. Every teacher, staff and administrator needs to be trained. Every student needs to be trained on their rights and what to do if something happens. Every parent needs education on students’ rights, what violates Title IX, who they should turn to and what should happen next.

Our district needs evidence-based strategies for combatting bullying. Too many students, too many families have bravely shared their experiences at Huron City Schools. Many left the district so they could thrive elsewhere. While I’m glad they were able to find a positive environment, they shouldn’t have to leave their home district, where they live, where their friends go to school, and where their families pay taxes, to find a safe learning environment.

We need to address the culture that has permitted bullying and harassment to go on for too long. We can no longer stand for the district ignoring these issues or sweeping them under the rug. It is time to deal with it all head on, and in full view of and partnership with the community.

Hathaway:

I am not currently on the BOE and therefore, I am not completely informed on the policy, nor how those policies are being followed today. From my perspective, it is difficult to fully grasp whether or not Title IX is being “taken seriously” or not in our school system. That being said, my stance is that discrimination based on ANY characteristic (Gender, Sexual Orientation, Religion, Medical choices, etc) or bullying is simply unacceptable. If I am elected to the Huron BOE, I commit to ensuring that this policy is implemented district-wide and that parents/guardians are given the tools (including updates and transparency) in order to combat this issue starting at home. This goes back to my family-first approach with the School District supporting in every way possible. As stated in the last question, I will advocate for a safe environment for all students and firmly believe that harassment of any kind is not to be tolerated in our schools.

Hinners:

We can and must do better. I’ve reviewed the District’s Title IX files going back to 2013 (noting that prior to 2018, the school has zero records relating to Title IX). It’s clear some teachers and staff members take claims very seriously; I am grateful for their work. It’s also clear that significant improvements are needed. Too many students and parents lack confidence that these issues are consistently and effectively addressed. While the District certainly cannot promise to eliminate all harassment and abuse, it can and must commit that when a student reports a Title IX violation or bullying, concerns are taken seriously, fairly investigated and the appropriate action taken based upon the evidence. Allowing Title IX issues to fester not only violates the law, it makes all students and our community less safe.

King:

In regards to bullying being taken seriously at Huron City Schools, I think we have some areas for improvement. I think it is the duty of any adult in any of the buildings to know that if someone tells them they are being harassed they have a duty to fill out the forms as outlined in the bullying policy and submit to the proper administration. Upon receiving this the administration needs to follow through on what is stated in the policy in regards to disciplinary action and follow-up. On the other side parents have the duty to follow-up as well and hold the administration accountable.

Kurtz:

It is mandatory for school employees to promptly report Title IX violations. I feel that it is important for the safety of the children that these complaints are taken seriously, fully investigated, and resolved appropriately. That being said, it is also important the teachers and staff are trained appropriately, and are provided support. The Title IX coordinator for the school system should be readily available to help provide the resources needed to follow proper procedures.

Laffay

Title XI and bullying are addressed by following the handbook and board policies. There needs to be a good, safe atmosphere for kids to have social emotional well being and there are current policies in place to foster this. Our job is to uphold these policies on behalf of every student in the Huron school system.