Central Regional Meetings Address Culture Of Bullying

By Chris Lundy

BERKELEY – A school official outlined a plan to address the bullying at Central Regional during a press conference, but it was not presented to residents at a public meeting filled with conflict hours later. These prospective initiatives include:

• Organization of a steering committee, including parents, to evaluate and update their approach to bullying and other issues;

• Retaining an outside party to examine their policies and their responses to this crisis;

• Reviewing the District’s cell phone policy;

• Scheduling a student assembly to discuss bullying, social media risks and related contemporary issues;

• Establishing a toll-free hotline operated by an outside party, for students to call (anonymously if they wish) if they feel threatened physically or online;

• Arranging guest speakers for student assemblies focused on avoiding and preventing risky behaviors;

• Arranging for education and information sessions for parents to help them better understand bullying, harassment, and other issues impacting students;

• Additional training for faculty, staff and parents to recognize potential problem situations and how to help; and

• More frequent communications with parents and guardians and the broader community about new and existing programs and services.

This list wasn’t read to the parents in a meeting, just read to journalists. It was sent out to parents the next day through the parent portal and it was posted on the website.

Addressing reporters prior to a regularly scheduled school board meeting, newly appointed Acting Superintendent Douglas Corbett said, “Everyone at Central Regional School District and High School mourns the loss of Adriana Kuch. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends in this difficult time. The circumstances of her passing are disturbing and we share the community’s shock.”

He noted that the above list is preliminary and more actions might be taken.

“Determining how best to improve on these priorities, and implementing effective solutions will take time. But we will not stand still,” Corbett said. “We are committed to learning from this tragedy wand listening to our parents, students and our community.”

He said that the district’s policy on Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying meet state standards. An assembly regarding bullying leads off every academic year.

“It’s important to note that the district has a team of specialists…including three anti-bullying coordinators and a 27-member crisis team,” he said.

Parents had a lot to say about Central’s handling of the issue, stating that what hap- pened to Adriana wasn’t an isolated incident but an inevitable result of how the district turns a blind eye to problems.

“We are listening to their message. We need to observe and listen to cries for help, identify ill will before it’s carried out” and try to prevent it, Corbett said.

The press conference was a short session, about 40 minutes. Local media was there, as well as major news networks and even the Daily Mail, showing the international scope. Questions were lobbed at Corbett, accusing him or the district of wrongdoing. The public relations team that had been hired that week controlled the meeting, and prevented officials from answering questions about minors (such as what hap- pened to Adriana) and personnel (such as what happened to former Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides). This led to accusations that the officials were hiding something.

Rumors have spread that Parlapanides is still employed by the district. The district said he resigned. He told this newspaper he resigned. The idea that he is still being paid by the district is likely due to the fact that the long-term employee has many vacation days that need to be paid out with the terms of his contract or perhaps the terms of his resignation.

Personnel records and student records are both confidential by law – but everyone