2 years after Gabe Taye settlement: What's changed in Cincinnati schools?
It's been two years since Cincinnati Public Schools agreed to pay $3 million to settle a lawsuit brought forth by Gabriel Taye's family. The 8-year-old boy killed himself in 2017 after being bullied repeatedly at Carson School.
Included in the settlement were several noneconomic conditions subject to court supervision, including a revamp of the district's anti-bullying plan and bullying reporting system. As of July 11, that supervision is over. So what's changed?
Gabriel Taye case: After child's suicide, new steps against bullying take root in Cincinnati schools
For starters, there have been more reports of bullying since the settlement. That's good.
When people report bullying incidents, schools can track patterns and respond accordingly. Anyone can make a report: students, families, staff and community members. Reports can be made to school staff or anonymously online.
But many believe bullying at CPS and elsewhere is still widely underreported. Despite the revamp and more awareness about the necessity to report bullying incidents, there are still fewer reports at CPS than were recorded in pre-pandemic semesters.
Underreporting of bullying, assault and "downright meanness" is one of school board member Eve Bolton's top concerns, she mentioned recently at a board business meeting.
"I think part of it is being afraid to report it because you'll get a negative evaluation or you'll look like you're being too strict," Bolton said after Superintendent Iranetta Wright presented about a new code of conduct. "It's across the district."
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But Michele Young, co-counsel for the Taye family, is optimistic. She told The Enquirer that CPS might just have the best anti-bullying program in the country at the end of this process.
Young said the district has a superhero on its side: Superintendent Iranetta Wright.
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When the district hired a new superintendent in the spring of 2022, Young said she wasn't sure what to expect. But from the moment she met Wright, Young said she "thought good things are going to happen."
"And they have," Young said.
Recently Wright presented a remodeled code of conduct draft to the school board, which will likely be approved at the board's next business meeting in early August. The new code of conduct is less punitive and instead focuses on restorative practices that address a student's emotional well-being. It suggests when a student displays an inappropriate behavior, that staff have the student write a reflection, apologize to anyone who was hurt, get paired with a mentor or complete a community service task.
Repeated or violent offenses have more serious consequences, depending on the infraction.
These restorative practices are what Young has been pushing for all along. A culture of bullying isn't something that goes away by punishing the bullies. In fact, Young said, bullied kids typically become more ostracized when their attacker is punished. That's why victims are often unlikely to report bad behaviors.
Through her research, Young said she's learned the best defense against bullying culture is restorative justice and awareness. That's why CPS schools now have anti-bullying posters, and there will be more discussions from early on in elementary school about how to identify and report bullying.
It involves retraining all of the district's teachers and other staff, plus volunteers and contracted partners, which is happening now under Wright's leadership.
It's also about bringing out the best in the district's kids, cheering on their talents and identifying what makes them each special.
Young said Wright is "willing to do what it takes" to provide the best environment for students. The process won't make everyone happy − Wright saw that earlier this year when the principals' union wrote a scathing letter about her to the school board.
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But people want change, Young said. No one wants to see kids getting caught up in gangs or teens involved in mass shootings. She believes Cincinnati is on the verge of a breakthrough to create a culture of kindness and respect among the city's kids and future adults.
Young estimates it will take another three years for all of these moving parts to come together and be completely embedded in the district's culture.
"People don't even know it's taking place," Young said. "It's so subtle."
No more court supervision
The final status report, co-authored by both parties, in Taye's case settlement was filed July 11. The district would not make Wright available to speak on the topic this week.
"District staff and school social workers lead CPS’ anti-bullying efforts through case management and bully behavior prevention and intervention strategies," reads a district-provided statement to The Enquirer. "The district deeply mourns the tragic loss of any student and appreciates the collaborative work with Taye’s family to create positive improvements to anti-bullying efforts."
The parties agreed that CPS had fulfilled all of its settlement commitments. Among other improvements, the document state CPS has:
Adopted the Ohio model policy on bullying.
Upgraded its bullying reporting system including its bullying form and protocol for investigating and resolving bullying complaints.
Set up a meeting with the Carson School principal and the Taye family's counsel to discuss anti-bullying efforts at that school.
Spread awareness on how to report bullying and harassment including implementing an online "Bully Button," phone and in person reporting.
Maintained staff devoted to anti-bullying efforts.
Trained students on prevention and reporting bullying.
Installed a memorial to honor Gabe Taye at Carson School.
Young and co-counsel Karen Meyers remain available to support the district in its ongoing work to minimize bullying, the report states.
Young told The Enquirer she never expected to spend this much time devoted to this case and anti-bullying efforts at CPS. But it has become one of her greatest missions.
The outcome of this tragic case "goes beyond my wildest dreams," she said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Court supervision ends 2 years after Gabe Taye settlement
