Emotions Run High At West Allegheny School Board Meeting About Anti-Bullying

IMPERIAL (KDKA) -- The West Allegheny School District responded Wednesday night to backlash over an anti-bullying program that some parents say crossed the line.

The school board meeting was emotional for both parents and students, and even the school board president teared up towards the end. But parents say the kids are only looking for one thing - an apology.

At points, emotions ran high during the meeting.

"With this said, I ask you to move on. We've heard all comments yesterday and now looking forward to moving on," said Debbie Mirich, the school board president.

But parents say they can't move on and neither can their kids after they say students were asked what they call invasive questions during an anti-bullying workshop at the middle school this month.

"A lot of those kids have to deal with parents being divorced and they're parents not making enough money. They already deal with enough when they go home," said one student in tears. "You guys didn't even have a right to ask that stuff."

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

One high school senior says administrators need to own up to their mistakes.

"I don't know what I'm more disappointed in, it it's the questions that were asked or if it's you guys not owning up to being in the wrong," he said.

"Our approach to workshop was not vetted as well as could have been with parents. I am fully committed to moving forward to ensure a more collaborative and inclusive planning process," said Superintendent Dr. Jerri Lynn Lippert.

The school board says they'll be forming "parents against bullying" committees. They're also making administrators available to parents who still have concerns.

The school is currently offering counseling to any eighth graders that were affected by the anti-bullying workshop.