Phoebe Prince inFocus

Thanks everyone for tuning into WWLP Channel 22's the inFocus program Sunday between 2:00 – 4:00 PM. It was a great show and Joe the Biker was center stage. Channel 22 gave the Say NO To Bullying Today program some good exposure.

I also had an opportunity to talk to another panel guest who was an attorney. It appears that the Hampshire District Attorney's office will have its challenges to prove their case. The violation of civil rights has to do with stopping someone from getting an education due to the race. Being Irish is the foundation of their argument. It will be interesting to see where this one goes.

There were substantial discussions of the responsibility of the school. Allegations indicate the school knew at least three weeks prior to Phoebe's death and refused to take any steps to resolve the issue. The school administration now reports that they knew only a week before the incident and didn't have time to intervene. It was the general consensus of audience that if in fact the school administration knew of the bullying - it was incumbent upon them to take action and should be held accountable. The school administration was negligent in keeping Phoebe save during school hours.

Stay tune as the momentum builds. There is a school committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow night in South Hadley and I hear the community will demand for the resignation of certain administrators.