Fallout from a bullying incident: Student cell phone use in school detracts from learning environment and should end, town officials say

By Mark E. Vogler

SAUGUS – The use of cell phones by Saugus Middle School students to videotape a 13-year-old student getting bullied and beaten up in gym class last week has caused some town and school officials to question whether they should be allowed. “Cell phones, in my opinion, should be banned in Saugus Public Schools,” former longtime School Committee Member Arthur Grabowski told The Saugus Advocate.

“They serve no educational purposes. Many school districts are now in the process of banning cell phones,” said Grabowski, who is four months into his first term as a Precinct 8 Town Meeting member.

“The fact that students recorded this incident on their cell phones and disseminated the video on social media only shows the detrimental effect of cell phones in the schools,” he said in an interview this week in response to the beating incident.

Former School Committee Member Peter Manoogian, who once served on the committee with Grabowski, also questioned the use of cell phones by students during class, calling it “a distraction.” “The School Department should re-examine existing cell phone policies and enforcement procedures for their use to prevent cell phone use in the classroom, including the gymnasium,” Manoogian told the newspaper.

“It is very difficult for a teacher to compete with a cell phone for the attention of students,” he said.

Grabowski said he recalled during his time on the committee several years ago when the district had a policy of “no cell phones,” but decided to change it at the request of school administrators who were getting pressure from parents who didn’t like the policy. “It was never enforced and teachers got in trouble for taking the cell phones away from the kids,” Grabowski said. “But it shouldn’t have been changed because it doesn’t add anything to the learning environment.”

There have been other developments in the aftermath of the student bullying and beating incident:

• School Superintendent Michael Hashem said his administration recognizes the problems created by students using cell phones in school and is responding to the situation.
• School and town officials maintain that School Department staff responded properly to the March 4 incident in which a 13-year-old student was beaten by another 13-year-old student. Officials say the incident was investigated properly.
• The mother of the beating victim, who had previously criticized school staff and administration for not doing anything, has since said her daughter told her that staff did rush to break up the altercation between the two students and helped her daughter. She told The Saugus Advocate this week that she is now satisfied with the way school administrators have responded to the incident. She also said she has decided not to pursue criminal charges in the Juvenile Department of Lynn District Court against the girl who beat her daughter.
• Some school and town officials are questioning the motives of other officials who have been lobbying for the hiring of a School Resource Officer (SRO) for “political reasons” rather than for improving public safety. Still, many officials who were questioned say they support the hiring of an SRO. Meanwhile, School Committee members say they are preparing an article to seek special funding for an SRO at this year’s Annual Town Meeting in May.
• A majority of the Board of Selectmen say they are confident that the School Department has handled the March 4 beating incident properly.
• In a series of interviews with The Saugus Advocate over the past week, town and school officials have offered their thoughts on what the town and the School Department need to do to ensure a safe learning environment for the kids.

Hashem cites negative impact of cell phones

In a statement to The Saugus Advocate yesterday, School Superintendent Michael Hashem said he agreed the student use of cell phones in school does adversely affect the educational process. “We are working to eliminate distractions to the educational process and a main factor impeding learning are cell phones and social media,” Hashem said.

“While these devices and platforms are hugely useful, they too often negatively impact teaching and learning. Staff is working diligently to restrict student cell phone use, but it is challenging. At the secondary level cell phone use is not allowed in classrooms,” the superintendent said.

“This year, the middle high school received a grant from DESE to help reduce cell phone usage in school. While the situation is not perfect, we are seeing positive results. Students are not allowed to use cell phones at the elementary level,” he said.

“But as every parent, guardian, or caregiver knows, this is easier said than done. We will continue to work to provide a safe and welcoming environment for our students and staff and we ask that parents, guardians, and caregivers help us to message the importance of being responsible when it comes to technology.”

Selectmen weigh in on issue

  The Saugus Advocate submitted a number of questions to school and town officials as to what they think should be done – whether they believe Saugus Public Schools would be better served with or without an SRO. They were asked what they think school officials, the school committee, faculty, staff, parents and teachers can and should do to ensure a safer learning environment. Here are some of the responses from selectmen:

Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta:

It is my understanding that the School Administration and School Committee did an investigation into this matter and handled it fairly and promptly. Please know there is a zero tolerance for bullying.

I believe more parent involvement is necessary because there needs to be repercussions for unacceptable student behavior. Communication is key.

Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeffrey Cicolini:

The entire administration has a zero tolerance policy for bullying and fighting. From what I am told the actions in the video are deeply concerning and definitely need to be addressed. I have full confidence that the School department and those charged with addressing this will handle this matter effectively and appropriately.

I do support an SRO in the schools. That being said, everything I have read tells me SROs have very limited power to enforce rules and be involved in these types of situations. SROs function more as a liaison to have children build a rapport or build confidence in approaching our police officers. Obviously, this matter falls with the school administration and the school committee and they are the ones who have the knowledge and experience to address this matter. I support any and all resources that are needed to make our schools safer and a better environment for learning. No child should ever go to school in fear of being assaulted or chastised. It cannot and will not be tolerated.

As a parent I do feel as though phones can be a distraction for our children’s learning experience. I do understand those who feel their child should be able to keep their phone with them in case of an emergency. However, oftentimes a phone can really hinder a child’s focus whether it be texting, games or surfing the web. I am following this topic closely as I am interested to see what the school department decides. I am not sure there is a right or wrong here. Either decision will result in one side being upset. Ultimately if proof can be shown that a “no phone in class policy” increases the quality of education that a child receives I would hope that parents would at least accept it as a factor in improving the overall quality of education in town.

Selectman Corinne Riley:

The fight on the video was shocking and very disturbing. It was very hard to watch. As far as what should be done in response, I don’t want to comment on this particular incident, as I don’t have the context that the teachers, School Administration and School Committee have. Their jobs are hard enough without me acting as a backseat driver.

I will say that violence in the schools is a public safety issue, and that makes it a top priority. I’m happy to hear that the School Committee is considering submitting an Article to Town Meeting to fund a School Resource Officer. I look forward to that Article coming to the Board of Selectmen in addition to the Annual or Special Warrant for Town Meeting. School Resource Officers have the training, knowledge, and expertise to act as a first line of defense should a violent situation occur, and even to prevent violent situations in some instances. An SRO would help secure our students and staff, give them better peace of mind, and would also allow our teachers to focus more on what they’re best at – educating our students. All surrounding towns/cities have School Resource Officers, and Saugus should as well.

Selectman Michael Serino:

I feel that any type of bullying is unacceptable. My heart goes out to the victim and her family. The kids involved and/or who took videos of the assault, along with their parents, will hopefully reach out to the victim and her family. I am hopeful and confident that Police Chief Ricciardelli and the entire School Committee will do the right thing and take the appropriate action needed.

Superintendent addresses other issues

Superintendent Hashem issued the following statement to The Saugus Advocate in an attempt to address what school officials are doing to ensure safer school in the district:

“As you know, safety and security for students and staff is our highest priority. We are and will continue to work to ensure that all students and staff are safe in our schools. We are committed to having safe, respectful and comfortable learning environments for all.

“School administration continues to monitor and address student behaviors. We work to create environments that avoid issues and to de-escalate student issues when they occur. Naturally, additional support would always be of benefit, whether it be more teachers, support staff, counselors, administrators, or a school resource officer. Unfortunately situations do arise and these matters are addressed and consequences are given to ensure that everyone is held to social standards. So many positives are happening in our schools and we are teaching the students academic content, critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as social and emotional strategies to deal with life in 2024.”