School board addresses bullying concerns, petition sparks community response in Mascoutah

By Zachary Daum
[email protected]

MASCOUTAH — Allegations of bullying at Mascoutah High School, brought forward through a student petition and amplified on social media, prompted a lengthy discussion at the Mascoutah Community Unit School District 19 Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 24.

District administrators defended their response to the situation, while students and parents voiced concerns about how bullying is handled and whether those who report issues feel heard.

The issue centers on a student-led petition that claims “repeated incidents of bullying and cyberbullying … have not been addressed with the seriousness, urgency and accountability required to protect student well-being.” Speakers said the petition drew roughly 120 student signatures and urged administrators to take clearer disciplinary action and strengthen accountability.

Superintendent Dr. Dave Deets addressed the allegations at the start of the meeting, emphasizing that the district had already begun investigating prior to the petition gaining traction online.

“Silence does not mean inaction,” Deets said. “We cannot and will never discuss student matters with the public. However, I can say that our administrative team did not ignore this and had already opened up an investigation prior to any social media post.”

Deets said administrators interviewed more than 50 students and worked with multiple legal counsel while reviewing the allegations. He also said the district has provided several avenues for students to report concerns, including direct conversations with teachers, counselors and administrators, as well as an anonymous reporting system.

The district also addressed the situation in a letter sent to families earlier in the week.

“It is my belief that our schools are at their best when we work together as a community to support both our students and staff,” Deets wrote. “Concerns regarding alleged bullying and our administrative response at Mascoutah High School have gained a lot of attention on social media.”

In the letter, Deets said student safety “is, and will always be, our top priority,” and that the district has taken immediate steps to understand the situation, including interviewing students, offering multiple reporting options and engaging legal counsel to conduct an independent review.

He noted that privacy laws prevent the district from sharing specific disciplinary actions and said, “Silence does not mean a lack of action,” adding that discipline cannot be based on rumor and must rely on established facts.

During public comment, Mascoutah High School senior John Wall, who helped circulate the petition on social media, said the issue reflects broader concerns about how bullying is addressed within the school.

“Me speaking out was not an attack on Mascoutah, but instead a wake up call,” Wall said. “If bullying really is not tolerated, that needs to be proven through action. Until then, nothing changes.”

Wall also said students may feel discouraged from reporting concerns.

“When people try to bring attention to real issues, it gets brushed off, ignored or even turned back on the students who are speaking up,” he said.

Another speaker, parent Kyna Williams, said her child helped author the petition but was singled out afterward. She cited what she described as multiple accounts of cyberbullying, including racial slurs, and questioned why the district’s investigation did not find sufficient evidence.

“We have had many individuals come out who have written their victim statements,” Williams said. “However, we are constantly told there is no proof of bullying.”

Other parents defended students accused in the petition and said the situation has been mischaracterized as bullying when it involved conflicts between groups of students.

The situation has also extended beyond the school, with court filings involving students connected to the petition. Emergency no contact and protection orders were issued in some cases, temporarily affecting students’ ability to attend school.

Several speakers said the legal developments could make students hesitant to come forward with concerns.

District officials also condemned threats of violence that circulated online following the petition.

“Absolutely unacceptable,” Deets said.

Amid the concerns, school officials pointed to recent survey data indicating that most students report positive experiences at Mascoutah High School.

According to a CharacterStrong social emotional learning survey conducted March 5 with nearly 1,000 student responses, 97 percent of students said educators treat them with respect, 93 percent said educators show they care and 97 percent reported feeling accepted by educators. The survey also found that 94 percent of students feel comfortable around their peers and 93 percent said other students treat them with respect.

Principal Kelly Johnson said the results reflect a strong school culture while acknowledging that improvement is ongoing.

“These results are a reflection of the strong culture we continue to build at Mascoutah High School,” Johnson said. “While we know there is always more work to do, this data shows that the majority of our students are experiencing school in a positive and meaningful way.”

Johnson added that the school responds when concerns are brought forward.

“If we are not aware of a situation, we cannot address it,” she said. “But when concerns are brought forward, we act.”

District officials said students can report bullying by speaking with staff, using the district’s anonymous reporting system or submitting concerns through school forms and communication channels.

Deets emphasized in his letter that student voices remain critical.

“To our nearly 4,300 students, we are here for you,” he wrote. “If you feel, hear, or see something that is not right, please reach out to an adult you trust.”

As the investigation continues, district leaders say they are reviewing both the allegations and their response while working with student groups to improve reporting systems and communication.

The issue is expected to remain a topic of discussion as the district works to address concerns raised by students and the community.

Complete letter from Mascoutah High School Principal Amy Kelly Johnson: https://www.heraldpubs.com/2026/03/31/complete-letter-from-mascoutah-high-school-principal-amy-kelly-johnson/

Complete letter from Mascoutah Superintendent Dr. David Deets: https://www.heraldpubs.com/2026/03/31/complete-letter-from-mascoutah-superintendent-dr-david-deets/

Petition Letter: https://www.heraldpubs.com/2026/03/31/petition-on-bullying/