ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY
Kaleb Wilson made his first friend here the day he moved from South Carolina. When the school year began, the 16-year-old met his girlfriend and joined the Junior ROTC. Kaleb said he was enjoying his first year at Smithfield High School.
Then came Sept. 23.
He was attacked while riding home on a school bus. At least one student filmed the beating with a cell phone and posted it on the Internet.
Kaleb is devastated. His father, Lee Wilson, is furious.
Wilson thinks school officials, including the bus driver, handled the situation poorly and that Smithfield High's administration didn't care about what happened.
"He's not going back there," Wilson said. "No ifs, ands or buts about it."
At a time when high-profile cases of school bus fights and beatings are more common, school systems have specific policies that govern what to do. Those policies, such as ones regarding student confidentiality, can fuel the feeling that officials are doing nothing, a University of Virginia official said.
"I think there's often a wrong impression given " that school leaders "don't care when they are concerned," said Dewey Cornell, a clinical psychologist and education professor who leads the Virginia Youth Violence Project.
"Schools, I think, have learned to be cautious about reaching conclusions too quickly because most cases have a history of prior problems," said Cornell, who is not familiar with the details of Kaleb's situation.
Isle of Wight County Schools spokeswoman Katherine Goff said the division is investigating the incident and "following the appropriate disciplinary measures."
On a recent afternoon, Kaleb sat on a neighbor's deck, his eyes shielded by sunglasses. His left eye was puffy and swollen, the skin underneath still a mixture of red and purple bruises. He said he has yet to regain full vision in that eye.
Kaleb, a freshman, was glancing out his school bus window when another boy began pounding him in the head, he said. He remembers his head hitting the window, then leaning into the seat to protect himself. Kaleb took at least two dozen blows to the face, head and back.
"I just wanted it to stop," he said.
Laughter and cheering can be heard during the recording of the incident. Someone posted it to YouTube, but it has been removed.
The bus driver headed back to school, Wilson said, and an administrator told him it was against protocol for the school to get medical attention for his son, even though Kaleb's vision was blurry and his head throbbed. More than an hour elapsed between the fight and the time Wilson arrived at the school to take his son to a doctor.
School Board policy requires bus drivers to alert administrators in an emergency and return to school. It also says school personnel "shall notify the parent before a physician is contacted except in cases of extreme emergency. This must be a matter of judgment."
The Virginia School Boards Association makes similar policy recommendations, Executive Director Frank Barham said.
A 16-year-old, whose name was not released because he's a juvenile, has been charged with malicious wounding in the incident, said Capt. Paul Phelps of the Isle of Wight County Sheriff's Office. Investigators are looking into whether the person or people who filmed and posted the video should face conspiracy charges.
"We're seeing whether this was a setup to be put on YouTube," Phelps said.
Ultimately, he said, the video aided investigators because it showed Kaleb being hit unprovoked and barely fighting back. Phelps called the attack "senseless."
"We understood that they had, maybe, words the day before," Phelps said. "We do know on this day the person who was assaulted had not done anything."
The arrested teen has been released on house arrest, said Isle of Wight County Commonwealth's Attorney Wayne Farmer. The teen can have no contact with Kaleb.
Wilson said he wants to know what disciplinary measures the school took.
"It's a situation that I wouldn't want anyone else to go through," Wilson said.
For now, Kaleb does his schoolwork from home, with his teachers e-mailing assignments. The day after the attack, he returned to school to retrieve books from his locker. The students in the hallway laughed and jeered.
"Everybody knows me now," Kaleb said. "It's a bad thing."
Hattie Brown Garrow, (757) 222-5562, hattie.brown@pilotonline.com
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Cool beans
96% of you have no idea what's actually going on; it's a shame really. You're all making your opinions based on conjecture. Can you say presumptuous?
This is so old. What is your problem, Mr. Wilson? Because it seems that all you can find in this situation is $$$.
There's a reason he only has one friend. If you think you can come to a new school and act better than everyone else, run your mouth, and tell people to hit you...don't cry when they do.
Why would the bus driver call the cops for a high school bus fight? That's just pointless for the cops. And Kaleb didn't pass out, wasn't dying, nor puking his shards out so an ambulance was unnecessary too.
I hope you've learned not to show your teeth if you can't bite, or this scenario will occur time after time.
More to be desired at SHS.
Since the bus driver was a woman, I wouldn't expect for her to be able to do much other than turning the bus around and bringing them back to school. I believe that she did all she could really do.
The Principal and all on the other hand, they could have done more. They're lazy, quite frankly. I've come to them with issues regarding witnessing the selling of alcohol, drugs, etc, and all they do is warn the students. Government property plus possession of these substances and SELLING them!? That is a major nono.
Please, don't give up in the fight for justice. You deserve it. As for not calling for help outside, I believe that they should have done this. I have had a panic attack walking into the school in the morning and was led to the nurse by a fellow student. She was rude and demanded that I go get a pass from my teacher, who I had not been to yet, even though I was on the brink of passing out. Really? Endangering a persons life? I could have passed out and hit my head on the floor or walls, then what?
I believe that this school, and district period, needs new leaders. Some of the rules are really and undeniably stupid, like denying me graduating early even though I have all
IOW schools
The post that stated “sweep everything under the rug” was dead on, do not underestimate the power of the “good ole boy“ system of government. Smithfield high administration has a long history of mismanagement (most of it has been reported in the media). To Kaleb, I understand why you don’t want to go back to Smithfield High school, teenagers travel in packs, and are unbelievably cruel, its hard enough just being sixteen. Hope you feel better, hang in there this too shall pass.
IOW School System
My daughter was a student at Smithfield high school. She went to the nurse for the first time her senior year. She was carried on the arm of another student because she almost passed out. The nurse told her she had to go to her second floor classroom and get a note before she would help her......WHAT NURSING SCHOOL DID YOU ATTEND??? Thank goodness for a very attentive attendance clerk that stepped in on my daughter’s behalf (by the way, my daughter was hospitalized later that day). Maybe it was gods grace that the school nurse was not called to attend to Kaleb. But the IOW rescue squad is staffed with some very capable medics, so no excuses there. To his parents; you have an uphill battle, this principle, and school administration has been getting away with bullying parents, teachers, and student for years. The bus driver was probably to afraid to act as an individual and call 911. Independent thinking is not encouraged in this school system, especially not at the high school. There is no recourse in this county. I hope you succeed in forcing change in this district, but its going to take a lot of media influence, and assistance from the state to accomplish anything.
Bus Brawl
It is so sad that this child had to be beat. It is even sadder that the bus driver did nothing. Something has got to be done our schools are really starting to suffer. We moved here several years ago because the school system was supposed to be so great and it was but it has really changed over the last couple of years. Everything is about numbers and if anything bad happens it gets swept under the rug. Last year a Elementary School in the county had a substitute tell the children in her class at lunch time her and her husband were packing handguns. It was taken to the Administrator and nothing was done, she was substituting the next time I had lunch with my grandchild. Is this what we are teaching our children now? Numbers are nothing. What about our next generation? It is sad adults in leadership positions are to afraid to do or say anything, they are afraid of loosing there jobs, In the mean time we are loosing our children.
Continued....
Isle of Wight schools are nothing but "good ole boy" schools.. Between Mercer, McPhearson, and Company, they do not have the kids best interest at heart. Teachers, bus drivers alike do what they want. So what is the point in sending home forms when school starts about medical attention if they don't follow what they send home? What is the point? Kaleb, the bus driver should have stopped immediately, with all the cell phones on that bus, someone could have called the police. NO EXCUSES there! The bus driver should also be held accountable! Reading about what happened to you just make my blood boil-and to every parent reading this, if your child was one of the ones video tapping the fight-they should have been calling for help-they should also be held accountable! Nothing to be proud of there! I support the Wilson Family 150%-God Bless you all!
Kaleb and Family
Hi Kaleb, I am so sorry to hear what happened to you. I pray that the other child responsible will be held accountable for his actions-you may not see it Kaleb, but trust me he will be! I am also a parent of a young child who was riding home on a bus from Hardy Elementary last year and was attacked by another child and I didn't find out about it UNTIL my son got home from school, crying and bleeding (I was at work when this happened) and the bus driver FAILED to notify the school and stop the attack on my son who was 9 at the time. His face was scratched up and bruised, and bleeding and his hair was pulled, etc. I called the school and Mr. Crawford the principal at the time, claimed to know NOTHING about the attack on my child. I took plenty of pictures, the other child was suspended and needless to say the same bus driver is still driving.. Isle of Wight schools are nothing but "good ole boy" schools.. Between Mercer, McPhearson, and Company, they do not have the kids best interest at heart. Teachers, bus drivers alike do what they want. So what is the point in sending home forms when school starts about medical attention if they don't follow what they send home? What is the po
KALEB
This is sickning to read. Of all the stories that I have seen ,this beats all I have ever read. A Family moves into the area and settles here to live. Their son starts school and before you know it,a bunch of CRUD with nothing better to do injuries him,and the school system ,so scared that it will make a mistake in dealing with the matter refuses to call 911 for help. In the meantime,the thugs are under "HOUSE ARREST, meaning that it will do as much good as if nothing were done at all.Way to go Isle of Wight, in my book,you have just been placed on the
"National map of Idiots." I guess these darling bunch of lovely teenagers,who beat,filmed,and put this thing on YouTube,deserve a medal for upstanding behavior. Not in MY book,what the asualter deserves,is the following---.
BE TIED TO A TREE,
Once an hour,take a ball bat and:
break both legs,
then break his ribs,
then both arms,
remember,this is what momma,and daddy(if he is around at all) created and raised.
The editor has the right to remove this if he so desires,but remember,this is what is being raised in our world today,a bunch of animals,who have no pride,manners self esteem,or usefulness,except to cause trounle.In s
Tied to a tree?
Maybe you should be tied to a tree?
Anyone who is basing their opinion on this article does not really have all of the facts. I have heard that the boy who got injured was verbally harassing another student smaller than him and also his assailant for days on the bus before he got attacked. Other students in the school would agree that he is not the sweet new kid on the block which this article is portraying. For those of you who think he got beaten up by someone bigger or older than him, you are mistaken. The young man who did the punching is actually the same age and about the same size. The way I see it, kids should not be verbally provoking others either, especially when they are new to the area.
Signed,
Parent of SHS Student
littlejoe
I am in favor of harsh punishment, but we cannot bring ourselves to their level. The answer is in sending these want to be thugs to third world countries and make them work in the poorest areas for about 3 years. They will have no modern conveniences and they must work hard to earn their way back home. This will help to rid our society of a lot of crime, offer help to people in need, reduce the excessive spending on prisons, and probably help build some character and appreciation in these delinquent criminals.
Seraphin
Nice idea, but what did the Third World countries do to deserve to have our human crud be exported to them?
I know of missionaries living in the desert with nomads and helping them. I would much prefer that to be the side of America that the Third World sees.
How about Commonwealth Challenge for these little goons? Residential living in a school that is really a boot camp may wake them up.
As I recall--------
Under Virginia Law you cannot bring a law suit against a school. I think you may be able to bring an action in Federal Court under the Civil Rights Act. Do us all a favor and nail their (school administrators)stupid hides to the wall. This was an absolute travisty and your child or anyone elses deserve much better from the school system.
Failure to seek medical attention is criminal
When this child presented himself with head trauma...and yes that is what it was trauma and the school administrators failed to recognize the potential severity of the injuries and failed to immediately call 911 so that paramedics could render treatment it is in my book itself a criminal act and those involved do not deserve to be entrusted with the care of our children.
I find it impossible to believe that a school system would be so ignorant that it would have " protocols " in place preventing school officials from requesting medical aid to an injured child.
Something is seriously wrong here. If you live in Isle of Wight you should demand this issue be addressed.
against school policy to get treatment!!
I am glad he has his son out of that rat trap. Obviously, school leaders do not care and having someone who calls themselves an official to give the party line (remember the old days of Communism? someone was always around to quote policy or the party line) means squat.
It is a parent's responsibility to protect his child and taking him out was the right move. Now, find a good lawyer. The bus driver did the right thing , too , to take those kids back to the school. The parents should have been made to pick them up.
I drove a bus in St Louis public schools in the early '90's. Guess what, U didn't have stuff like that because the police were called to handle school fights.
Kaleb Wilson
Kaleb,
Like alot of people said on here, keep you head up and don't let those punks( I cant say what I want to say on here)get to you. they are nothing but bullies and If you let them get to you,it will tear you apart inside. The wounds on the outside will heal fairly quickly but the wound on the inside will take alot longer to heal if they get to you. Keep your head up high and be strong. Alot of people are praying for you
Moniters
Why don't we have bus monitors anymore? When I went To school here, We always had bus monitors on the buses. If you acted up on the bus,The monitor had the authority to deal with that situation. You weren't allowed to ride the bus for the rest of the school year, and in some cases, banned from riding forever If you acted up on the bus.
School Administration
Kaleb, my regrets for what happened. Mr. Wilson, I support you in your position 100 percent.
For those posters referencing the administration and their attitudes, I concur. Having taught and coached at this school and its feeder middle school, I am all too familiar with the deplorable zeitgeist created by the administration, to include Michael McPherson and principal Rebecca Mercer. They are each enablers par excellence when it comes to student conduct issues while creating an environment not conducive to good teacher morale, ruling by intimidation and not supporting teachers when discipline issues occur (the staff turnover is significant as well).
In 2003, there was an article in the Smithfield Times regarding Mercer and the lack of discipline and climate at the school in which both offered their usual pompous, arrogant attitutes and McPherson had the audacity to remark, "those who do not support the administration are free to pursue employment elsewhere". Thank you for the advice Dr. McPherson - leaving Pile of Plight County Schools was the best career move I have ever made!
Shame...
In a world where the beaten down are the losers and the one dishing out beatings is the winner should we expect any other behavior from our children. There is no such thing as laying low anymore.
I went to Catholic school. Nuns would have torn the boys involved in dishing out the harm a new backside. That fear alone made your enemy your best friend when the nuns came into the picture.
I feel incredibly sad because there is no longer a solution for these problems. We have mothers absent from the home (chasing a dollar), absentee fathers, a society that no longer understands itself unless it is a marketing campaign, and children with very little hope of opportunity for a future. These instances we've seen in the news lately are the result.
Keep you chin up son. Buttheads are everywhere and we have one as the POTUS!
IT WILL GET BETTER
Just know that right now things don't look the way you think they should....but you hold your head up high young man because you did NOTHING wrong. Take care......
School Bus Brawl
It is unimaginable to me that this child did not receive medical attention upon return to his school. Blurry vision and a throbbing head after a severe beating warrants prompt medical attention. The spineless bully that attacked this poor child should be made to pay any and all medical bills.
Bullies and the ignorant bystanders, esp. those that stand around and video the action, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent. It is a must that bullies pay for their horrible behavior - criminal charges and civil charges. Just because these actions occur on school property (whether school or bus) does not mean that they are not punishable in our court systems.
As the mother of 2 children in High School and Middle School - it is very upsetting to think I would put my children on the bus to send them somewhere they are to be stalked and attacked. It takes a weak and heartless animal to attack another human being the way this boy was attacked. This boy will never be the same and that can never be compensated. This will follow him the rest of his life - That is not ANYTHING that can be replaced. The sad part is the idiots responsible will never feel any compassion and never realize