The Dignity for All Students Act was created to provide students with a safe and supportive school environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying. District Administrators, Board of Education members, School Staff and the parents of students in the school system are charged with the task of implementation of the Dignity Act, to assure that the School District is free from these damaging forms of conduct.
However, during the lead up to the Mt. Pleasant School Board Election, some parents, members of the Westlake Athletic Club, and other members of the School Community have set a horrible example for the children of the School District by violating all aspects of the Dignity Act in their shameful attacks on two independent candidates, Cathy Tully and Peter Peale, who are running for seats on the Board of Education.
These two candidates have faced physical threats, discrimination, harassment, intimidation, taunting, name calling and cyber bullying at the hands of the supporters of a Machiavellian Guiney Administration and an unethical School Board.
Since none of the other candidates running for the School Board have spoken out against the attacks against Ms. Tully and Mr. Peale, it must be understood that they condone this type of action.
Further, we have not heard Superintendent Guiney condemn these actions, which is not surprising since she has ignored complaints filed with her office, where it was alleged that students faced bullying and mistreatment at the hands of students and some staff members, in direct violation of the Dignity Act. Some of those complaints were lodged against coaches, who also happen to be officers of the Westlake Athletic Club. However, none of the accused have faced any type of reprimand. These matters were brushed aside by the Superintendent. Obviously, Ms. Guiney protects the accused cited in these complaints, and in turn those individuals protect the “Guiney regime” by attacking the two independent candidates, who if they were to win seats on the Board in Tuesday’s election, would expose the deep seeded corruption that exists in the Mt. Pleasant School District.
Parents of children in the school system, members of the Westlake Athletic Club and District Staff are well aware of the Dignity Act and its intended purpose. They are supposed to set an example for the children, of proper conduct in dealing with others, even those that we may disagree with. However, their openly discriminatory behavior in attacking two candidates who have opposing views from theirs, is in direct contradiction to what the Dignity Act was designed to prevent. Their actions tell the children that it is okay to bully, harass and discriminate against those that you don’t like, or that you disagree with. How sad! What a terrible example to set for the children of the Mt. Pleasant School District. Don’t be surprised if a spike in student bullying and harassment occurs as a result of the actions of these “adults”.
This issue further highlights the fact that there must be a change to the make-up of the present School Board. Current Board Members and their handpicked replacements do not seem to support the Dignity Act, since they have not spoken out about the disgusting display of discrimination, harassment and bullying that we have witnessed during this election cycle. This District needs Board Members who will ensure that the Dignity Act is fully implemented and enforced and that those who violate it are properly held accountable. We need Board Members who will speak out if they witness inappropriate conduct, where parents, staff or others openly violate the parameters of the Dignity Act and remind the violators of the importance of setting a good example for the children of the District. We need new, independent candidates who will fully support the Dignity Act to protect the children of this District. We need Cathy Tully and Peter Peale.
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