School Bullying Council

BAY CITY — Tawas Area Schools officials have agreed to an undisclosed settlement in a civil suit filed on behalf of two former students who claimed they were sexually harassed, threatened and bullied by peers and teachers.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights initiated the lawsuit, which named the district and two administrators as defendants, in November 2009.

The claim stem from incidents in 2006 involving an 18-year-old senior who later confessed under oath that he exposed himself to two female students at school, court records show.

The young man served 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to criminal charges that stemmed from a police investigation into the girls’ complaints.

According to the civil suit, district officials did not prevent the young man from retaliating against his accusers.

The incidents were discussed between teachers and became fodder for the gossip mill with townsfolk choosing up sides and, many times, taunting the girls in public, calling them at home, sending them e-mails and posting threatening comments on social networking sites, the plaintiffs claimed.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Thomas L. Ludington signed an order dismissing the case. The order was predicated upon the defendants paying “certain monetary sums” to each of the girls. 

Court records do not identify the plaintiffs.

http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2011/08/settlement_reached_in_girls_ha.html

Eau Claire (WQOW) – A local school district is denying claims after a lawsuit is filed over bullying. 

Wally Ellenson played for the Memorial High School basketball team a few years ago before his family moved to Rice Lake.  His family claims Wally suffered physical and emotional injuries as a result of bullying from his Old Abe teammates and the coach.  Ellenson’s family says the district failed to prevent the bullying after being made aware of it.  They recently filed a civil lawsuit. 

The Eau Claire Area School District has now responded and is denying those claims.  The district says the family was told the proper complaint procedure in bullying cases, but says the Ellenson’s didn’t use it.  It also says Ellenson assumed the risk of injury by playing basketball.

http://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14405911