Parent happy with district response to assaults

Moses Lake takes steps to improve safety

MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake parent thanked the school district Thursday for its actions since she and other parents reported bullying in the schools.

Lucilla Anderson was one of several parents who expressed concern with school fights and harassment at a Sept. 25 board meeting.

"Thank you very much. It has helped coming here, and I've heard a lot of good stories out of us coming here," said Anderson.

Following reports of one student being assaulted and another student being harassed as a witness to the assault, the school district suspended both aggressors.

Moses Lake School District is offering additional training to school staff, according to Special Assistant to the Superintendent P.J. De Benedetti.

An anti-violence assembly called "One Big Team" is being held Oct. 20 at the high school.

Superintendent Steve Chestnut noted the school district increased security at the school.

"Since our last meeting we only had two fights at Moses Lake High School," Chestnut said. "We wish that was zero."

He said the number of fights decreased compared with previous weeks.

The school district is going to continue working on the issue, Chestnut said.

Anderson mentioned concern with some students intimidating teachers. She said she heard of teachers quitting because of the environment.

School board President Allan Burritt reiterated Principal Dave Balcom is presenting the anti-bullying assembly.

Chestnut said he did not believe Anderson was painting an accurate picture of the high school climate with regard to teacher-student relationships. He said he visits the high school frequently.

"I think what you're painting is an isolated picture," he said.

He said the description Anderson provided does not describe all classrooms.

"We take school safety very seriously," he said. "We follow up on everything that's reported to us."

Anderson said the school district did not know about the incidents reported at the Sept. 25 board meeting.

Chestnut said Anderson raised an important point. The superintendent's office cannot run each classroom and it is important for parents to be in daily contact with teachers.

He said if a parent has information about a child being harassed, they should report it.

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Michelle Price noted at the meeting a new life skills curriculum was implemented for students in grades three to five.

"It's about teaching kids how to be respectful and responsible," Price said.