Jacob Rogers
Friends of eighteen year old Jacob, who was openly gay, say that he was the constant target of bullying and by the time he started his senior year at Cheatham County Central High School it had become so bad that he stopped attending in an effort to avoid the torment.
Jacob had been a victim of bullying for four years and friends say that school officials did little to stop what was happening. Ultimately it became too much for him to deal with and he took his own life.
Cheatham County school officials said Jacob had reported being bullied to the high school's administration earlier in the school year and according to Director of Schools Dr. Tim Webb, Principal Glenna Barrow warned the students involved. He added that the Principal saw Jacob at a later date and asked him if things were better and Jacob indicated they were.
Dr. Webb said the district was also investigating allegations that Jacob' complaints of other bullying incidents were not properly handled by teachers or school administrators.
Jacob had been a victim of bullying for four years and friends say that school officials did little to stop what was happening. Ultimately it became too much for him to deal with and he took his own life.
Cheatham County school officials said Jacob had reported being bullied to the high school's administration earlier in the school year and according to Director of Schools Dr. Tim Webb, Principal Glenna Barrow warned the students involved. He added that the Principal saw Jacob at a later date and asked him if things were better and Jacob indicated they were.
Dr. Webb said the district was also investigating allegations that Jacob' complaints of other bullying incidents were not properly handled by teachers or school administrators.
"We are still in the process of trying to understand what happened. We need to find out how this got away from us and continue to investigate that. Our primary focus is to try to fix whatever allowed this to escalate," ~ Dr. Tim Webb, Director of schools
Dr. Webb would not say if students or even school officials could be disciplined as a result of his investigation, but he said the district is already looking at software to help track incidents between students. He said it would also track things such as absences and other indicators that a student may be the victim of bullying. Furthermore, he also said the district will work to better pair students with a trusted adult on campus they can talk to if they are being bullied or facing any other issues at school.
Only time will tell if these new policies will have any effect on bullying and suicide statistics. In theory, they should, but the school officials acknowledge the fact that a quick turnover of staff at Jacob's school most likely contributed to his complaints being overlooked or not passed on to the relevant staff.
Around 300 people, family and friends attended a memorial service for Jacob where he was remembered as a kind, compassionate young man whose cries for help went largely ignored by those who should have been there to help him.
Only time will tell if these new policies will have any effect on bullying and suicide statistics. In theory, they should, but the school officials acknowledge the fact that a quick turnover of staff at Jacob's school most likely contributed to his complaints being overlooked or not passed on to the relevant staff.
Around 300 people, family and friends attended a memorial service for Jacob where he was remembered as a kind, compassionate young man whose cries for help went largely ignored by those who should have been there to help him.