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Topic 2: Case Study: Impatient Parents

Joe W. Altmiller

College of Education, Grand Canyon University

EAD-519-O501: Clinical Internship I: Learner-Centered Leadership

Dr. LeConte Middleton

September 7, 2022
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Part 1: Case Analysis

Summary of the Case

As the assistant principal, I was notified that a mother has shown up at school to discuss

her concerns about a boy that she claims is harassing her daughter. She states that the boy student

is from their neighborhood, and in her daughter’s geometry class. The upset mother states that

the harassment comprises someone calling her daughter and promptly hanging up and making

fun of the clothing she has been wearing. In the ten minutes she has before work the mother is

expecting to meet with the principal, she seems impatient when asked by the secretary if she has

an appointment. Expressing her frustrations with the geometry teachers' lack of response from

the email she sent the evening before is part of the few minutes I was able to spend with her as

vice principal. During our brief conversation, the mother shared that she is unable to meet again,

and demands the school quickly resolve the issue.

Issues to be Resolved

There are several issues that need to be addressed, and they should begin by first

investigating the allegations of harassment, including interviewing both students and the teacher.

Second, the harassment claim should be taken seriously and through discovery find a resolution,

while being constantly aware the parent is frustrated with the school and demands expect quick

action. Third, the investigation made more difficult by the mother's inability to continue meeting,

as well as making claims without presenting evidence. Noting that some issues are happening

away from school, at home, with the daughter’s personal phone.

Stakeholders Involved
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The stakeholders in this situation include; the accused male student, the geometry

teacher, the mother, the female student, and vice principal. The principal will need to be briefed

completely upon returning to school to ensure clarity.

Existing Laws & District Policies

Oregon Law, HB 2632 is Oregon’s law related to harassment, intimidation and bullying

in public schools was updated in the 2021 legislative session (Oregon Department of Education,

2021). Oregon Depart of Education (2021) law defines “harassment, intimidation, or bullying” as

any act that:

• Substantially interferes with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or

performance, and;

• Takes place on or immediately adjacent to school grounds, at any school-sponsored

activity, on school-provided transportation, or at any official school bus stop; and has the

effect of:

o Physically harming a student or damaging a student’s property;

o Knowingly placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or

damage to the student’s property; or

o Creating a hostile educational environment, including interfering with the

psychological well-being of a student.

During my investigation on Oregon Law, I noted a disclaimer written into the law.

Oregon anti-bullying laws do not cover off-campus conduct (Oregon Department of

Education, 2021). This can impact some phone call issues presented by the mother within the

home, unless the issue has presented itself on the declared school property written into

Oregon law.
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Eugene Christian School (ECS) policy on defines bullying as s a pattern of harming

another person through repeated written, verbal, visual, or physical actions for not good reason,

with the threat of future harm (Eugene Christian School, 2021). When we have reached the

conclusion of the investigation, depending on results, a direction would be determined by using

the Oregon Law and ECS school policy as a guide and reference.

Solutions to the Issues

Gathering information from all the stakeholders involved is ultimately where we can

begin to develop solutions. Once all sides of the story are shared and discussion with the school

principal completed, disciplinary could be taken if required. To select a solution, careful

inspection of all details, familiarity with legal expectations and school policies must take place.

Quickly finding the underlying cause of the issue so that all students feel safe and showing the

school will not tolerate forms of harassment.

Action Steps

Initially this investigation would begin with the geometry teacher to gain a perspective of

what allegedly is taking place in the classroom. Interviewing the geometry teacher should happen

before the student attend class. Additionally, the geometry teacher should document any

observations between the two students. Next would be the interview with the female student and

document her story, inquiring about the phone calls and text message. This interview should be

conducted as quickly as possible. Conversations with the accused male student should and gather

data based upon his version of the story, may necessitate conversations with some other male

students. All information should be documented and presented to the principal upon their return

to campus, any further information can be gathered before determining what actions need to be
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taken. Try to make an appointment with the mother and daughter to review the findings and what

actions will be taken place.

Potential Moral & Legal Consequences

A variety of moral and legal consequences may result from this issue. Parental push back

from either set of parents is a possibility, and if student rights were violated potentially lawsuits.

As part of this situation, phone calls and texting while at home bring about an interesting twist. I

am interested in how Oregon law would interpret the phone calls and texting due to the nature of

the rest of this alleged bullying incident. If found to be bullied in the school classroom, it would

follow that he could be investigated further for harassment.

My mission, as a servant leader, is to serve and support each stakeholder. Ensuring that

every voice is heard allows me to fulfill that duty.

Part 2: Rationale

There are lots of unknowns in this case that could lead to; discovering the demanding

parent is simply overreacting and making accusations of an innocent boy, or this being serious

and escalating into a situation that needs immediate correction for the young lady’s safety.

Assuming the innocence of the boy until proven otherwise. The rights of each student need to be

protected, and due diligence by the school will help to address the issue fairly. Investigating the

accusation of harassment and basing a decision of information gathered helps support the idea

that as a servant leader the well-being of all students is an integral part of the solution that I

propose. Embedded in my role as servant leader the desire for the utmost best for all students

which must be performed in a professional and ethical manner with the qualities of trust,

collaboration, and communication as core.

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Professional Standards for Educational Leaders standard five states: Effective educational

leaders cultivate an inclusive, caring, and supportive school community that promotes the

academic success and well-being of each student (National Policy Board for Educational

Administration, 2015). Making the best decisions for each student, and keeping all stakeholders

informed and ensuring that the action plan uses the best legal and moral judgment is part of my

responsibility as a servant leader. Professional Standards for Educational Leaders stand two (b)

effective leaders act according to and promote the professional norms of integrity, fairness,

transparency, trust, collaboration, perseverance, learning and continuous improvement (National

Policy Board for Educational Administration, 2015). Involving all stakeholders, and building a

secure partnership with them, in the solution builds bridges for future cooperation with the

school community
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References

Eugene Christian School. (2021). Student/Parent Handbook.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/113HfHSZWNBiS0o9pPT2IYXQ1L8_FTeYbEAz9W

O_iGIU/edit

Oregon Department of Education. (2021). Guidance on the issue of bullying.

https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-

family/healthsafety/Documents/bullyingguidance.pdf

National Policy Board for Educational Administration (2015). Professional Standards for

Educational Leaders. Author.