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Letter To Appleton (WI) School Board Requesting Investigation On Teachers Who Bullied Benji Backer.
Letter To Appleton (WI) School Board Requesting Investigation On Teachers Who Bullied Benji Backer.
Ms. Sharon Fenlon President Appleton Board of Education PO Box 2019 Appleton, Wl 54912-2019 Dear Ms. Fenlon: As a proud product of the Appleton Area School District, I am writing to you today on a matter that requires your immediate attention. On March 29, 2013, Mr. Benji Backer, a student in the Appleton Area School District was interviewed by WISN Radio in Milwaukee regarding bullying from AASD staff members over his political views. The interview came after a article was written by Mr. Backer the previous day on a national blog regarding his experiences being bullied over his conservative political viewpoints. When I was an alumnus of the Appleton Area Schools from 1989 to 2002, teachers treated me with respect in spite of my conservative political viewpoints. However, Mr. Backer's blog post reveals that there are growing incidents of harassment and bullying by AASD staff members towards students who do not share the same political viewpoints of AASD staff members who are members of the Appleton Education Association (AEA) and the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC). Mr. Backer's blog post described multiple incidents of bullying he was a victim of from 2010 to 2013. Some of these incidents include: Being disapproved by a teacher after being featured by the Appleton Post-Crescent in 2010 for his involvement in that year's gubernatorial election and being told by the staff member he was "dumb" and having to switch schools mid-year. Was being told by one of his instructors during the 2011 Wisconsin budget battle that "she could not afford another child because of Scott Walker." That should not be said in ANY classroom. Being harassed by another AASD staff member after being featured by the USA Today over his involvement in Young Americans for Romney and his support for current Governor Scott Walker.
Appleton Board of Education Policy 522.5 clearly states that: (Continued on Next Page)
414.502.9165-Phone, 717.828.7736-FAX, kmaichle1@gmail.com-E-Mail www.northshorestrategygroup.com
Cc: Mr, Lee Allinger, Superintendent of Schools Ms. Julie Zuleger, Division of Personnel Services Mr. Ben Vogel, Assistant Superintendent of Student and School Services Ms. Judy Baseman, Assistant Superintendent of Student and School Services Ms. Val Drier, Assistant Superintendent of Student and School Services