By BILL BARLOW/Special to the Sentinel
OCEAN CITY – The woman standing at the podium in the Ocean City High School library on Wednesday evening adjusted the microphone – set too high for her – and gripped the wooden sides as she addressed the Board of Education.
A graduate from Ocean City High School who only gave her first name, Jasmine struggled with tears as she spoke about the difficult time she had as a high school student and castigated the school for doing little to help.
She described a physically and emotionally abusive home life. At one point, another woman came up to support her as Jasmine told her story. She told the board that she sought help from staff members, including through some of the systems that were put in place after complaints from former students in 2015, only to be put off or called a liar. Her home life was too difficult to believe, she said.
“They thought I was making up stories,” she said.
A school staff member even called her home to report her accusations, making an already bad situation far worse. She described it as despicable that a student asked for help and did not get it.
“I was very close to becoming a suicide statistic my senior year. I got help, finally, and it wasn’t from you,” she told the school board. “I just really hope that you guys change and do better.”
Jasmine was one of a few speakers who addressed the school board about a wide range of allegations brought forth through a recent petition on change.org.
Former Ocean City student Brianna Thomas and other alumni started the petition, which called for an investigation of school faculty, guidance staff and administration over multiple incidents spanning a decade that were alleged in the petition. Many of the allegations were made anonymously, which Thomas said protected the individuals and would not compromise potential criminal investigations.
Thomas was one of the former students who demanded change at the school in 2014 and 2015, after two student suicides traumatized the school and deeply shook the community. At that time, multiple people told the Board of Education heartbreaking stories of bullying at the school, including Thomas.
“I stood before the school board and told pieces of my story in 2014 and 2015, hoping that I’d never have to do it again,” Thomas said, reading from a prepared statement. “I hoped that my experience, and the experiences of the other students that were shared at that time, would not continue for students in the years to follow. I was devastated reading the stories of students that were originally submitted for this petition, but unfortunately, I was not surprised by the high school’s mishandling of reported incidents, and disregard for student wellbeing and safety.”
She slammed the district’s response to the petition, arguing that the district should have been aware of the allegations. Despite the initiatives launched at the school since 2015, she told the board, there is a pattern that has survived changes in staff and school board members and will likely remain after an expected change in superintendents unless it is addressed.
“I regret nothing more than the fact that I personally walked away from this issue six years ago, and would like to make it known that the current group of former students involved in this petition intend on following up on this issue with both the board of education and other outside entities,” she said.
At the meeting, school board President Joseph Clark read a response to the petition.
“We hear you and commend you for exercising your right to free speech and for the courage to petition to have the allegations investigated further,” he said.
He said the district administration contacted the Ocean City Police Department about the allegations.
“We have and will continue to fully cooperate and provide access to the police department and/or the county prosecutor’s office for any impending investigation,” he said, stating that the district sought to ensure enduring change.
Clark outlined some of the initiatives undertaken at the district over the past 10 years, including training for staff about teacher-student relationships, discrimination, and about harassment. The school also launched programs aimed at preventing bullying and teen suicide.
In addition, the district has worked with Cape Assist to provide further training for staff and support services for students, he said. The district has implemented online tools to allow students to provide anonymous tips about bullying and other concerns and has similar systems in place for parents.
Clark also cited the launch of an equity committee and a number of wellness programs offered to students, including some done in collaboration with the city and with AtlantiCare. He said the district has learned about education, rights and the law, saying the district has at times led the way in the region and nationally. He cited new clubs and programs for students.
“While we can’t change the past, our district is committed to taking additional steps to build upon programs, trainings, support and intervention services, along with providing the necessary resources, which we have put in place over the past decade to ensure enduring change,” Clark said.
But Thomas said the programs, apps and other initiatives will not help if the staff do not believe students who report issues at home or in school.
She told the board that there are good teachers in the district, saying caring teachers helped give her the confidence to come forward and address issues at the school.
“If not for a wonderful teacher telling me 10 years ago to never stop fighting and advocating for myself and others, I would not be here today,” she said.
“We are hopeful that in the days, weeks and months to come, the school board will decide to provide some insight on how you intend on keeping students safe moving forward, and if there is any intention to re-evaluate and alter the current resources, or provide new resources and advocacy for students,” Thomas continued.
“Shame on the board. Shame on you, Joe, for allowing this to happen, to bring shame to Ocean City and shame to the school,” said resident Lew Shupe, speaking to Joe Clark. “Now do you see and understand why I felt that you and the school administration let the community, the children and the parents down?”
Shupe had tried to speak earlier but was told that he had to wait until the end of the meeting. The first public portion was reserved for agenda items.
He told the board he attended Ocean City High School in the 1940s, describing himself as “damn near 90 years old.” He had tried to speak about an issue related to his granddaughter, a student at the school, but was told he could not discuss that topic because it is a matter of litigation. He said the girl was physically attacked.
“We advise you not to say that in public,” Clark said.
Board member Cecilia Gallelli-Keyes thanked those who spoke at the meeting.
“We are listening to the public and our community,” she said. “We’re going to sit down, look at what we’re doing right and what we’re doing wrong, what works and what doesn’t.”