BKW announces sessions to discuss code of conduct for July 20 and July 30

BERNE — Following several accounts from parents that their children had been bullied at school with little help, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District has announced anticipated dates for families and community members in the district to help review and update the district’s code of conduct.

According to an announcement from the district, those wishing to participate would join shared decision-making teams and work with administrators in either the elementary or secondary school. Two sessions are planned: one on July 20 at the elementary school and the other on July 30 at the secondary school. Those interested must contact either the elementary or secondary school office by July 1.

After a BKW parent spoke at a June 4 school board meeting, relating accounts of bullying with a lack of response from the district, Superintendent Timothy Mundell announced that the district would be inviting the community to participate in reviewing the code of conduct.

Mundell told The Enterprise following the meeting that the school could do better in communicating its policies to parents and the community, but also defended the district, saying that it has been responsive to incidents of bullying.

The district also announced that informational meetings — based on concerns raised at the July sessions — will be held in early September, something Mundell had also announced would take place following the reports of bullying. In the announcement, the district asked that those interested reach out by July 1, and stated that the September meetings would be planned during the same time as the code of conduct review.

Clarified on June 29, 2018: Specific dates rather than a span of days were inserted for the July meetings.

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