Are schools dropping the ball on bullying?

The question I'm chewing on today is this: Are schools just paying lip service to bullying, or are anti-bullying policies simply that ineffective?

I'd been assuming it was the latter -- after all, kids know that bullying is wrong, and they're sure to do it out of earshot of authority figures. Bullied kids can be reluctant to report bullying for fear they'll make it worse.

But today, the day after Spirit Day, we've got an article in the paper that quotes a parent alleging that her children's complaints about bullying in Marion Schools fell on deaf ears. I can't find it online, so here:

Students report bullying MARION -- Iowa law requires schools to write out how they will prevent bullying on school grounds. But some parents and students are complaining the Marion Independent district is not following its own policy.Seventh-grader Richelle Brunner and parent Cherrie Spurlin plan to challenge the district's policy by appearing at the next school board meeting.Brunner said her problem began with cyber bullying two years ago. This year, she said, it's constant name-calling. And Spurlin said her first-grade daughter, Callie, is being physically and verbally harassed by students at her elementary school.They say they went to administrators to address the problems but were not told about the formal anti-bullying policy, or how to file a written complaint to be investigated.Brunner said her experience in taking a complaint to a counselor was, "You get 'Oh, I'll do this ... I'll make sure this stops.' And then nothing happens."Spurlin said the bullying experience has so upset her daughter that "She's coming home so upset she's writing in a diary and drawing pictures of boys surrounding her and her crying out for help."Marion Superintendent Sarah Pinion said she had no specific information about the complaints in question. And she said staff from each district building attended an extensive summer program on bullying this year.Pinion said she believes Marion's anti-bullying policy is clear, but she'll listen to any concerns from parents or students who want to talk to the school board about their problems.Comments: (319) 368-8611;

MARION -- Iowa law requires schools to write out how they will prevent bullying on school grounds. But some parents and students are complaining the Marion Independent district is not following its own policy.

Seventh-grader Richelle Brunner and parent Cherrie Spurlin plan to challenge the district's policy by appearing at the next school board meeting.

Brunner said her problem began with cyber bullying two years ago. This year, she said, it's constant name-calling. And Spurlin said her first-grade daughter, Callie, is being physically and verbally harassed by students at her elementary school.

They say they went to administrators to address the problems but were not told about the formal anti-bullying policy, or how to file a written complaint to be investigated.

Brunner said her experience in taking a complaint to a counselor was, "You get 'Oh, I'll do this ... I'll make sure this stops.' And then nothing happens."

Spurlin said the bullying experience has so upset her daughter that "She's coming home so upset she's writing in a diary and drawing pictures of boys surrounding her and her crying out for help."

Marion Superintendent Sarah Pinion said she had no specific information about the complaints in question. And she said staff from each district building attended an extensive summer program on bullying this year.

Pinion said she believes Marion's anti-bullying policy is clear, but she'll listen to any concerns from parents or students who want to talk to the school board about their problems.

Comments: (319) 368-8611; dave.franzman@sourcemedia.net

The Iowa Legislature passed anti-bullying legislation in 2007, requiring schools to implement anti-bullying policies (you can read those requirements here) -- if they don't, the school can lose their accreditation.

By law, every school in Iowa has to talk a big game when it comes to bullying. But I'm curious to know if anyone else out there has felt hung out to dry when they've reported bullying at school. Comment in

Today's Conversation, or shoot me an e-mail:

jennifer.hemmingsen@thegazette.com.