I don’t know much about this specific incident. But I taught in urban public schools for decades. Bullying was rampant there (same as it always was). The target kids suffered every day. Teachers were infuriated. It was heartbreaking. And the district did nothing. And that’s because any admission that bullying occurred is bad publicity. Can’t have that.
Some folks say the target kids should just fight back. Punch that big bully in the nose! Well, that kind of thinking is 30 years out of date. Any bullied kid who fought back would (not might, but would) be jumped in a stairwell or on the way home.
Some of those bullied kids would ask me for advice. My response was always the same. Its best to get out of here. Go to a charter school.
I NEVER saw rampant bullying when I went to school.
IF a student got out of line, the football & wrestling team would take care of the problem out behind the bleachers.
NEVER had it in one room grade school.
In middle school our son was bullied. He was small for his age, blond, and a musician. He also had the juvenile lead in a local play. But he also, at the time, had a blue belt in martial arts. So finally, after being followed around all day by a boy twice his size, kicking his feet and calling him names, he hauled off and socked him. The bully hit the ground and started crying. Later the vice principle called Mr. MERCAT and told him that he had to give our son a one day suspension but called it “time served.” Mr. M said that was not acceptable and the vp tore it up. I was proud of both our son and Mr. M.