TOP STORY OF THE DAY - Clay Community School Corporation: A Lesson learned

A recent social media post has garnered an outpouring of anger in the community, with two teenagers, the Clay Community School Corporation and Superintendent Dr. Tim Rayle, caught in the middle.

When two students felt their voices were not being heard, they voiced their opinions and concerns online on social media. The post quickly garnered attention in support of the students and then turned ugly as others began to post what is described as cyberbullying, harassment, and false information.

Meanwhile, the agitation in the community was voiced at the CCSC Central Office, with citizens demanding the students be expelled.

LEARNING A LIFE LESSON

Athena Johnson and Madalynn Eatmon were encouraged to research by parents before they made the carefully worded post that included a petition on Facebook the weekend of February 10.

The girls admitted they were looking for community support, but within five days, they were threatened by adults and other students.

Rayle was also feeling the heat from the community.

“I had people who wanted the students kicked out of school,” said Rayle. “I have taken more abuse from adults in the last couple of days who want to throw those girls out of school. There’s an issue because they’re voicing concerns.”

Rayle believed this could be “a teachable moment” for the students and the community about the proper channels to use when things like this happen.

So, Rayle recently met with the two students, a parent, and members of The Brazil Times to talk openly about the issues.

FIRST STEPS

“I’m going to start with the petition to have a staff member removed,” said Rayle about the document asking for 150 signatures. “First of all, that’s not even a process. The school board you’re talking about can hire and fire one person (without a recommendation from the superintendent). That’s me.”

Rayle explained Indiana State Law binds the school board.

“This petition, if brought before our school board, and they acted on it, it could be a violation of law,” said Rayle. “There’s a proper way to do things when you have legitimate concerns.”

Rayle did tell the group that the students could attend monthly meetings and voice general concerns or ask who to direct specific questions to during the public comments at each meeting.

“We didn’t know we could do that,” said the students.

Rayle supplied everyone at the meeting with a copy of the laws for the school board and the student handbook, the “Knights Code,” which outlines the rules of student conduct.

Rayle also informed the group about the “Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.” The group consists of student representatives from Clay City and Northview.

Rayle said he recently met with the group.

“No concerns about school administration were brought to the table,” he said. “This speaks volumes.”

However, Rayle encouraged the students to read the paperwork that would help them through the process of reporting their concerns.

“That is going to show the process and exactly how to do it,” said Rayle. “I am going to walk you through it. This is a great life lesson that you can carry through.”

THE PROCESS

Simply put, a CCSC employee won’t be fired or reprimanded without following due process and properly investigating the complaint and the facts. This investigation is done “in-house” and begins with the facts and the witnesses, unless it involves alleged illegal activity.

The investigation begins, and administrators start the interviewing process with the help of the Assistant Superintendent and the Director of Human Resources.

When the students asked how long this would take, Rayle said it usually could be completed within the school year, but the number of witnesses plays a factor in the timeline.

Rayle smiled and told the fidgety students, “It is OK. There is nothing to be nervous about.”

That is when the students told Rayle about threats other students and people made. The students explained that some people don’t want to come forward out of fear of retribution and having their names put out there.

Rayle explained that the investigation into a complaint is private, names are not announced to the public, and juveniles have the right to privacy.

“That is a different process, which may involve law enforcement,” said Rayle. “Any educational record is yours. Even though they’re ours, they’re yours. And so you can request to see those written records. But they are not public information.”

LINES BLURRED

Social media and review sites are under no legal obligation to remove defamatory content. These sites are specifically protected from defamation lawsuits under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

However, lawsuits can be filed against individuals - and everyday people - who post defamatory statements or content, also known as ‘social media slander.”

The student’s Facebook post was admittedly an attempt to be heard. However, it quickly teetered out of control, with others posting horrendous and defamatory information.

Rayle said he would rather remain respectful about these employee details because there is no investigation at this time.

The students agreed, admitting they tried to delete the offensive comments and publicly apologized for it happening.

Rayle said technology is great, but social media tends to bring out the worst in people. After talking with attorneys this could be considered a case for defamation of character.

“You will have to keep an eye on it,” said Rayle, who suggested turning off the comment section of their post. “And constantly monitoring it because people are going to say stupid things. Because they want to jump on the bandwagon and make it more than what it is about.”

THE HARD TRUTH OF LIFE

When Rayle asked the students if they had any questions, they were quick to respond.

“My question is, why don’t more kids know about these things?”

The students feel like many students never open the student handbook, and teachers don’t talk about these policies.

“I am really glad you asked that question,” said Rayle, who believes there could be better communication for students needing to file complaints. “I want students to be comfortable enough to come to us to help explain the situation, if needed, and help students feel comfortable about reporting these issues.

The students then asked, “What happens once we go through that process and everything. What could be the possible outcomes?”

Rayle explained the many options that could be used and told the students to be prepared if things did not go in their favor.

“Honestly, that is a possible outcome you must prepare for,” said Rayle. “So many people don’t realize that what is upsetting them might not be truly wrong. Things don’t always go our way. As people, we don’t always get along or like everyone we have to interact with in life.”