Martin reviewed district policy, staff training, how bullying reports are received and investigated, and how students and families are informed about bullying. He interviewed Forestview administrators, counselors and teachers, as well as district administrators. The School Board has the report, and the district’s legal counsel is reviewing it.

The review found that District Policy 514, Bullying Prohibition, meets Minnesota law and that practices at Forestview are reasonable. It also identified areas where the district can do better. Forestview has already made changes this fall under Principal Dr. Sheila Eller to strengthen student well-being, safety and school climate. The district will now build an action plan from the review’s recommendations, including:

• Staff training built around Forestview’s own people and process, not a generic video
• One system to track bullying reports, so a pattern against a student is not missed
• Investigation training for building administrators
• Clear student handbook language that bullying has consequences
• Better ways to teach families what bullying is and how to report it
• A review of counselor and administrator staffing at Forestview

“This summer two families lost their daughters, and our whole community felt it,” said Superintendent Chip Rankin. “We asked for an outside look because we owed our families that. The review tells us our policy is sound, and it gives us clear work to do. We are not waiting on it.”

"I also want to thank our staff,” Rankin said. “This work didn’t start with this report. Our teachers, counselors, support staff and building leaders do it every day, and it lines up with our strategic roadmap and the Continuous Improvement Plans each building leadership team has put in place. This report gives us more to do, and I know they’ll do it.”

Because the review involves private student information and some follow-up is still underway, the district will not comment on specific students or specific claims, out of respect for the families involved.

Students who are being bullied, or who see it happen to someone else, are encouraged to tell any adult at school. Families with concerns can contact their student’s school directly. Anyone who is struggling can talk with a school counselor or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, at any time.