He is still healing almost two months after 17 year
old Forest Hill student Brandon Truscott took his own life.
And tonight at a Forest Hills school board meeting,
parents and students spoke out against bullying as they continue
to work with the district trying to make sure it
never happens again.
Here's Jordan Mansberg.
On the podium at the school board meeting sat 1
lone candle in remembrance of Brandon Truscott.
It was joined by parents and students like 9th grader
Zachariah Hedrick who shared their stories of how they say
bullying has gotten out of control in the district.
I see students being bullied every day,
students being made to feel as though they are less
than every day,
and I see teachers and I see staff and I
see other students who are letting it happen.
Zachariah is one of many advocating for a 0 tolerance
policy for bullying and stricter consequences for bullies.
But Zachariah wasn't there to yell at the school board
rather suggest ways that they can search for a solution.
Personally, I was taking a shot by the Superintendent and
the assistant Superintendent and we had a meeting and it
was highly productive,
so I think the school's doing a good job communicating
with the community,
Superintendent Dr. Dave Layman says the board is currently in
the process of reviewing their anti bullying policies and finding
new strategies that don't interfere with other crisis procedures.
We're pretty happy right now.
There's been community involvement. Met with students,
we've met with the parents,
we've met with almost everybody,
spoke at the board meetings,
and I can't thank the community enough for giving us
ideas to help us implement some of these policies and
practices we're doing right now.
Changes that many say can't come soon enough.
Addressing mental health is a great thing,
but we need to enforce.
And establish A0 tolerance policy.
Yes, my daughter's been bullied.
For seven years.
She can't wait to graduate.
Reporting for WTAJ News. I'm Jordan Mansperger.