Waterville High School Bullying Incident Draws Reaction on Keeler
What exactly happened at Waterville High School when three members of the football team were suspended following a bullying incident and why was the punishment quickly overturned?
One parent reported to First News with Keeler in the Morning on Monday that the school reversed the decision to punish the students because the penalty would have prevented the three accused 'bullies' from competing in a big game against West Canada two weeks ago.
The parent, who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution, said the incident involved three upperclassmen allegedly duct taping a 7th-grader to the locker room shower, turning on the water over his head and then exiting the locker room.
The Waterville-West Canada football game was played on September 28th and resulted in a 31-0 West Canada rout according to the Utica Observer Dispatch. The parent says that no players were prevented from playing that game.
According to the district website, the school has a zero tolerance for bullying and even participates in programs training teachers and students to report cases of bullying or harassment to school officials and the authorities.
Another parent complained that a separate incident involving soccer players performing a hazing prank (that also involved tape) resulted in no punishment, as well, because the students involved said they couldn't be punished because the football players weren't given a consequence days before. The parent said the soccer players did not receive a punishment, as a result.
WIBX attempted to speak with Principal Matthew St. Peter on Monday morning but our producer was referred to the school Superintendent.
New York State Policies and Laws on Bullying
WIBX First News with Keeler in the Morning hopes to speak with Superintendent Charles G. Chafee on Tuesday morning about the incident.
Listen to calls from listeners here.
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