Killeen ISD works to prevent bullying in schools

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) – Killeen ISD held a bullying prevention forum with parents to teach them new ways to address bullying in their child’s lives.

The district invited three panelists to discuss bullying prevention methods. KISD answered questions from parents after the event.

KISD’s Student Health Advisory Council, or SHAC, organized the event. The council formed a bullying awareness subcommittee in the summer of 2024.

Killeen parent Mandi Knolte sparked the idea for the committee when she addressed the council about a KISD bullying incident that was not properly handled by school staff.

“I brought this awareness to SHAC for our children,” Knolte said.

KISD Place 7 board member Rodney Gilchrist said bullying is one of the district’s biggest challenges.

“I want us to come together as a collective effort. to really address this matter in its entirety,” Gilchrist said.

Gilchrist said he hopes KISD can improve its approach to school bullies.

“I would hope that would be one of the goals,” Gilchrist said. “Not to always punish children, but to give them a different direction, re-engage them and ensure that they become enthusiastic about learning again.”

Parents like Knolte taught them to listen to children when they had problems.

“We all have to take everyone’s feelings and emotions into account,” Knotle said. “And we just have to stop this. We have to stop this bullying.”

Gilchrist said he hopes events like the forum will show parents the district is committed.

“We care,” Gilchrist said. “That’s the most important thing. I think sometimes they think the neighborhood doesn’t care because they forget that we’re only human. And we also have children in the system.”

This was the first forum since the subcommittee was formed.

To report bullies in KISD, visit www.KISDisSafe.com

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