IPS Expulsion sparks bullying debate

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The expulsion of an Indianapolis Public Schools student has sparked another chapter in the debate over bullying policies

Dynasty Young said he wanted to scare off bullies. So the openly gay Arsenal Tech High School junior took a stun gun to school for protection. His mother, who says IPS administration did nothing when she alerted them about the harassment, armed her son with the device.

Tuesday, school administrators announced Young has been expelled until Jan. 7, and it defended its record on bullying.

“Indianapolis Public Schools students participate in anti-bullying programs from kindergarten through 12th grade,” the school said in a statement. “IPS offers Gay Straight Alliance groups on multiple campuses, including Arsenal Technical High School. The district does not condone bullying - students who violate the rights of others through bullying behaviors are held accountable.”

In one example of those programs, at IPS School 96, five students make up an anti-bullying group called SMART, for Student Movement Against Rude Treatment. The students educate their peers about the repercussions of bullying for all involved. They start by mentoring kindergartners.

The five all have personal stories of pain. At one point, they were taunted and tormented by bullies.

Davon Robinson told 24-Hour News 8 that like Dynasty, he wanted to protect himself.

“They just wouldn't stop. I thought if I made them scared of me they would leave me alone,” Robinson said.

When he was harassed, the 13-year-old wrote a list naming his bullies. On it he wrote “kill them all.” His teacher found the note and alerted police.

Another student in the group, Stephfonique Seymour, transferred from one IPS school to another because she was picked on. Seymour, who is 5’7”, says she was teased because of her height. Many nights she would go home crying.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson with Indiana Youth Group, a support group for gay youths, says the district shouldn't punish Young.

“The decision to expel Dynasty is but the latest example of the school administration's failure to take the problem of bullying seriously," said Mary Byrne, executive director of the Indiana Youth Group. "We must not cause further harm to Dynasty, and other victims of bullying, by denying them the opportunity to continue their education in a safe learning environment. Instead we must prioritize creating a safe learning environment, rather than punishing students for actions that result out of our failure to do so."

A group of citizens plans to show support for Dynasty at the next IPS School Board meeting, set for May 15. The group will rally at Veterans Memorial Plaza at 6 pm before marching to the Education Center.