Schools

District 159 Ready to Review Bullying Policy

Following a campaign by D159 parent Heidi Yergler Herrmann, the D159 Board of Education places a review of the district's bullying policy on its July 18 meeting agenda.

Heidi Yergler Hermann got her wish—sort of.

After weeks of campaigning to step in front of the , Hermann was heard at the Wednesday, June 20, meeting of the board. Hermann, whose fourth-grade daughter was bullied for much of the previous school year, .

“I think the parents, the community presence really helped me make my point,” Yergler Hermann said. “I really do feel that things are going to change for the better.”

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Although Superintendent Steve Stein and Board President John Troy were absent from the meeting, Herrmann said that just getting some time before the board was good. Even better, she said, is that the board placed a review of the district's bullying policy on its July 18 agenda.

“It shows that everybody on the board was interested to make a positive change,” Yergler Herrmann said.

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During board discussion at the meeting, acting Board President Patrick Markham said that it was important to each member of the board to hear Hermann out and to make sure the policy is examined.

Although Herrmann only had a few brief words with the board during the meeting, she did spend several minutes with Principal Mike Rolinitis after the meeting. The two spoke candidly about Hermann's daughter, the current state of bullying in District 159 and what can be done.

Herrmann wasn't the only parent in attendance at the meeting concerned about bullying, as Cha Martinez expressed herself during public comments at the end of the meeting, saying she was very concerned and that bullying is a “serious problem,” in the district.

The next District 159 Board of Education meeting is at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 18.

Want more news on District 159? Check out these previous stories. 



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