During the school board meeting, Spencerport parents demand action on bullying

Spencerport, New York – Parents and community members called for more robust measures to combat bullying at a packed Spencerport Central School District board meeting on Tuesday night.
The demand for change was spearheaded by the family of Lia Sick, who has reportedly been the subject of bullying.

“These kids are running the school,” Lia’s father, Shaun Sick, stated. “The staff and teachers are merely present. And the pupils are aware of it.

Following the recent arrests of two youngsters that the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Greece police claimed were related to his daughter’s bullying case, Sick gave his first public presentation to the board.

Shaun stood next to Lia and pleaded with the board to consider the matter.

“I just want to get the word out to the BOE members to show them that we are serious,” he stated. “Change needs to happen.”

Lia conveyed her appreciation for the help she has had from friends and complete strangers.
“I felt so supported in this whole situation, and it has brought a bunch of people I haven’t known here at this meeting, and I just feel supported and relieved that I have so many people here supporting me,” Lia stated.

The Sick family’s friend Tonya Silversto also urged the district to reevaluate its bullying sanctions.

“I respectfully request this board to relook at the standards set forth in the district,” Silversto stated. “Change the consequences of actions of bullying regardless of the severity they are.”

The district’s director of communications, Lanette Cypher, stated that privacy regulations prevent the district from disclosing additional details about the case. She cited earlier declarations that showed the district has enforced all facets of its code of conduct and imposed severe disciplinary measures in response to the infractions.

The arrests in her case, according to Lia, were a relief.

When she responded, “My reaction honestly is relief,” “I’m delighted that it has progressed this far. I’m glad this is happening because I feel like this is what I wanted.”