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UPDATE: Dad Claims North Bellmore School District Allowed Son to Be Bullied

Man says that when his son was bullied for a year, the school district did not do enough to stop it.

This story was updated at 2:26 p.m. on June 27.

Greg's son just completed sixth grade at Saw Mill Road Elementary School and instead of having memories of a great school year, he says his son will remember nine months of being taunted and bullied.

"My son's sixth grade was ruined and I find that unacceptable," Greg said.

The North Bellmore resident, who asked to have his last name withheld, said that his son was bullied by the same boy for the entire school year and nothing was done about it.

"I reported it and they kept telling me that they are taking it very seriously, but they did nothing," he said.

According to the father, one boy has embarrassed his son in front of students on many occasions and has said hurtful things to him such as "nobody likes you" and "you should have never been born." He said that he was outraged when his son came home one day and told him what happened in one of his classes.

"This boy drew a picture of my son being shot in the head on the SMARTBoard in front of a substitute teacher and the whole classroom," he said. "I think that is very serious."

However, Greg said that the school never reported it to him.

The problem escalated two weeks ago when, according to Greg, the boy told his son that he was going to kill him.

"I filed a police report and went to the principal," he said. "I was told that he would be suspended for the rest of the school year, but he was only suspended for three days."

According to a police document, Greg filed a report on May 29.

Frances Bennett, principal of Saw Mill Road School, said that she could not discuss specific cases that occur in the school, but that the school district does not take bullying lightly.

"Bullying can occur in any school and when it does occur we take it very seriously and there are consequences for it," she said. "There is a district policy on bullying that we follow."

Like the police department, North Bellmore Superintendent Arnold Goldstein said that no report had been filed with the school district until May, but when it was, the district did what it was supposed to do.

"As soon as allegations were made, we responded immediately, we followed our policy, we investigated and we imposed the proper consequences," Goldstein told Patch Wednesday.

The school district's policy on harassment, hazing and bullying states: "The district will promptly investigate all complaints of harassment, hazing or bullying, either formal or informal, verbal or written. To the extent possible, all complaints will be treated in a confidential manner. Limited disclosure may be necessary to complete a thorough investigation."

Greg said that he plans to create a petition with other parents to combat the bullying problem.

"The school district really needs to get its act together," he said.

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Lu Scala May 17, 2013 at 08:49 am
I never had any kids.. and am the last kid who went to to the Bellmore Merrick school system.....itsRead More been almost 40 years since I was a Mempham grad..and it is very disharting to hear that my many many high tax dollars..are not enought for these kids I have been sororting all these years!!! Who is getting all the money??? Its all bull.. aI live inbetween teachers.. how is it they can afford high end cars, housekeepers, landscapers, ect??????... the money is being spent in the WRONG WAYS TO THE TEACHERS, AND MOST OF ALL THE ADMISTRATION, THE SCHOOL BOARD ECT... I AM CALLING FOR A MASSIVE AUDIT AND GET0 per year.. they afe not worth any more then that.. THE MONEY BACK FROM ANYONE WHO WAS PAID MORE THEN $75,00....
patti May 16, 2013 at 08:28 pm
A bit of a surprise considering kids come home with a supply list a mile long (and average $40-$75).
Michael Ganci (Editor) May 14, 2013 at 01:34 pm
Can you edit above and add photo? Then I will post to top news! Thanks! MG