Schools

School Officials Investigate Alleged Threat to Elementary School Student

The father of a Middletown Bielefield School student is questioning the district's zero tolerance policy and is considering home schooling if the issue isn't resolved to his satisfaction.

The father of a Middletown elementary school student whose son was allegedly threatened physical harm by a classmate is unsatisfied with the administration’s handling of the matter, while the school superintendent said that an evenhanded investigation and actions are taking place.

James Beitzel, a Frederick Bielefield school parent, said his son was threatened May 10 by a boy who had twice before reportedly assaulted his child. Beitzel said that Principal Jeff Fournier called him three hours after the incident took place; Beitzel said that he immediately called police and filed a report.

Fournier's secretary referred all calls to the superintendent of schools.

“The Middletown Public Schools administration promptly investigates and responds to any threat made to the safety and security of any student or staff member,” Superintendent of Schools Patricia Charles said when asked about the incident.

She urged families to “refrain from relying on rumor or speculation about such issues.”

On May 13, Beitzel met with Fournier and was reportedly told that the unidentified child would be removed from his son's class, taken off his son’s school bus, and would be subject to safety searches every morning.

“He was very genuine and stated many times that this was necessary for my son's safety; even explaining it to my son that he would remain in the classroom while the other child would be reprimanded,” Beitzel said of his initial conversation with Fournier.

“He said it was entirely necessary to keep these children separated, to avoid the situation getting any more serious.”

However, later that day, Beitzel alleges that Fournier told him “the only action that will be taken to ensure my son's safety is assigning them both separate seats on the bus.”

The child “will now otherwise have access to my son the entire school day in the same classroom,” Beitzel said. He has kept his son home since being notified of the alleged incident.

Now, he’s questioning the school’s zero tolerance policy.

Charles said that in matters such as these, a “multifaceted approach to respond to student threats,” is necessary, especially at the elementary level.

“While the response to any specific situation is based on the circumstances, the tools used by the school district include education, counseling, discipline, parental involvement, medical referral, and/or law enforcement referral,” the superintendent said.

District policy is to work with parents and students to resolve “concerns about inappropriate statements that students make to one another and to use any example of an inappropriate statement as an opportunity for students to learn proper and respectful communication and behavior to one another,” according to Charles.

Bielefield students are not in danger from this child’s alleged actions or any other student, Charles said, affirming the “district's commitment to the prompt and fair investigation of any allegations of threats by students.”

She encourages parents and students to report suspected bullying to staff immediately, as “such reports will be investigated in accordance with district policy, and disciplinary or other remedial action taken when appropriate.”

Meanwhile, Beitzel has decided his son will be home schooled if the issue isn't resolved to his satisfaction.


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