Bully or Safety Reports

 

West ISD prohibits bullying on school property, at school-sponsored or school-related activities, or in any vehicle operated by the district. Bullying may be verbal or written expression or expression through electronic means, or physical conduct. Bullying is not tolerated by the district, and any student or parent of a student who believes that the student or another student has experienced bullying or that a student has engaged in bullying is encouraged to immediately report the incident. Retaliation against anyone involved in the complaint process is a violation of district policy and is prohibited.

 

Students or parents may report an alleged incident of bullying, orally or in writing, to a teacher, counselor, principal or other district employee. Beginning in August 2023, West ISD is now using STOPit for all bully, cyberbully, and safety reports. Students may enter their name or remain anonymous. The STOPit reporting features include telephone access, texting, online, and mobile app. Report may include screenshots, photos, audio files, and video files. STOPit includes a 24/7/365 Incident Response Center with certified specialists who monitor, manage and notify officials and 911 (as needed) of submitted incidents. When needed for any life-threatening situations, the specialists will alert assigned officials via escalation email, text, and phone call.

 

To login and access STOPit, please go to the following website: STOPit Reporting Website. To review the STOPit student information flyer, please go the following PDF: STOPit Information Flyer. 

 

The West ISD Administration Office Hotline is still (254) 981-2009. Outside office hours, please simply leave a detailed message. David Truitt, Superintendent, checks these messages even outside the school day. 

 

Students or parents may also contact the West ISD Administration Office or a campus front office to obtain an incident report form that may be used to submit the complaint. The key is to please communicate with us in some way. We are here to help. Whether it is anonymously or in-person, please let us know what is going on in your child's life. Please note that after submission of the complaint to the district staff member, the district may assign the complaint to a campus administrator to follow up on the submitted complaint and any other important matters pertaining to the complaint. We encourage you to communicate with your designated campus administrator during this time. We will get back with you in a timely manner.

 

More information on the district's bullying policy, Board Policy FFI (LOCAL), can be found here. The West ISD Student Handbook and Code of Conduct also contains this information. Note: The PDF file titled, "West ISD Code of Conduct Updates" contains information on David's Law, Senate Bill 179. 

 

For a legal overview of David's Law, please go to the following link: Texas School Administrators' Legal Digest Article by Jennifer Childress. Also, the Texas School Safety Center provided the following video on Texas Bullying Laws. 

 

For additional information, please contact David Truitt, Superintendent, at (254) 981-2000.