HOUSTON—Some local parents have expressed concern that their area school districts improperly handled individual bullying cases.
James Jones made headlines after he stormed onto a school bus in Florida and threatened students that were bullying his 12-year-old daughter.
He apologized for his tirade, but his actions resonated with several parents who deal with bullying.
Gretta Dickson says her 13-year-old daughter Diamond was verbally harassed daily at Lake Olympia Middle school in Fort Bend County, mostly by other girls.
"It was getting to the point where I was frustrated, it felt like I was being bullied," said parent Gretta Dickson. "My daughter was the victim, not the problem."
Dickson said she could not believe some of the comments aimed at her daughter.
"’I am going to drag you by your Indian hair all across this floor,’ just ugly things, just to pick at her," said Dickson.
Dickson contacted the school assistant principal, who responded in an email.
"I have talked to the young ladies in question," the emails stated. "They have been advised about how behavior can be associated with harassment and bullying".
One of the girls was disciplined days later and even signed an agreement saying she would stay away from Dickson’s daughter.
"The girl continued to make statements to my daughter," said Dickson.
So Dickson, a mother of four, called the assistant superintendent, who told her the only option was to move her daughter to another school.
Dickson moved her to another district.
Another area parent, Kerrie Murphy, a mother of six, says Magnolia ISD failed her 10-year-old son, Kevin.
A 5th-grader at Williams Elementary, Kevin was choked by another 10-year-old on the school playground.
"I was scared because he was choking me and I didn’t know really how to get out of the choke hold," said Kevin Castaneda.
Murphy said the student was given in-school suspension.
"I was given all the assurances that all steps needed would be taken, did that happen? no because my son was attacked again, by the same student," said Murphy.
Castaneda was attacked again three weeks later. Murphy filed assault charges, and the case was referred to the district attorney. Murphy said her son is now afraid of the boy, who still attends the school. She believes the bully should be transferred.
Gretta Dickson felt the same about her daughter’s case.
"She’s a model student, why does she have to leave?" asked Dickson.
When asked why the victims, not the bullies, would have to leave the school, both districts referred 11 News to a state statute. It reads in part, "On the request of a parent acting on behalf of a student who is a victim, the district shall transfer the victim to another classroom or another campus." The statute says nothing about moving the bullies.
Dickson said the statute does nothing to curtail bullying.
"Even if you move my daughter, you still have the bullying on the campus," Dickson said. "It’s like you are sending my daughter away, but you are still not dealing with the bullying."
Three weeks after Dickson’s daughter left Fort Bend ISD, the district sent 11 News a statement.
"After fully investigating her concerns, school officials determined that the reported conduct did not constitute bullying, but was rather a conflict involving multiple middle school students," the statement read. "Appropriate disciplinary actions were taken."
Dickson said she hopes the district will do better in the future.
"Somebody listens, somebody pay attention, somebody protect those kids that are trying to get an education."
