Several board members and members of the public told the Berwick Area School District board on Tuesday that bullying and the district’s relationship with career-technical education deserve closer attention.

A board member reported on a recent Joint Operating Committee (JOC) meeting and said some attendees characterized vocational-technical education as a “last resort” and suggested that students sometimes go to tech programs because they left the district or had negative experiences. The board member urged the district to study why students feel uncomfortable and to ensure bullying complaints are properly addressed.

During public comment, Christina Culver of Salem Township said many families have told her students left the district because of bullying. Culver described receiving reports that “LGBTQ kids” were harassed, called slurs, threatened and assaulted and said board policies under consideration would further harm vulnerable students. Culver said she wants the board to seek out parents and students to understand what is happening and urged board members to stop pursuing policies that she said target vulnerable children.

A separate resident thanked a board member for remarks that cautioned against dismissing the value of vo-tech programs and urged better engagement with families.

Why it matters: bullying and perceptions of vo-tech pathways can shape student enrollment decisions and student well-being; the board said it will review the concerns and consider studying root causes and complaint processes.

Board members recommended examining program-placement reasons, investigating bullying reports, and ensuring students feel safe; the board did not take a formal vote on creating a specific study but several members urged follow up with JOC and district staff.