Letter to the Editor | Fostoria High School Bullying Allegations Brought to Light

To the Editor:

I am writing in response to recent concerns shared about Fostoria City Schools. I am a parent with one daughter in high school and two daughters in the elementary school, and my own experiences sadly echo many of the issues already raised.

At the high school, my daughter wore a crystal necklace and was repeatedly mocked by other students, who called her a devil worshipper and a witch and claimed she did not see a doctor, only “prayed to her crystal.” Teachers did not stop these comments. On one occasion, even a staff member joined in, challenging her to “prove” that crystals work, rather than shutting the behavior down.

We also experienced a prolonged bullying situation. My daughter tried to befriend a new student, who then began essentially stalking her. This student walked behind her whispering things, sent her messages on Snapchat, texted her from fake numbers, and harassed her for months. My daughter reported this repeatedly to administrators, teachers, and the school counselor. Nothing meaningful was done. Eventually, after enduring this behavior for a long time, my daughter snapped and slapped the other student, and my daughter — not the aggressor — was suspended. In practice, the student handbook does not seem to be followed unless it benefits the school.

I raised several issues with the new principal, including concerns about rule changes and how policies were being applied. She did not come across as warm or open to conversation. When I asked specific, reasonable questions, it felt as though she did not like being challenged. I chose to communicate by email to keep a clear record, but she repeatedly tried to move our discussions into phone calls and in‑person meetings. When I insisted on email for accountability and a paper trail, she ultimately shut down communication by email. If you are the principal, you should be willing and able to answer straightforward questions in writing.

From what my children and I see, many teachers do very little to reprimand students for inappropriate behavior. The overwhelming focus appears to be on attendance numbers — so the school looks good and receives funding — rather than on whether students feel safe and supported. My honest impression is that, aside from a few individuals, they simply do not care as much as they should. One notable exception is Mr. Sierra on the administration team, who has been consistently helpful, and the new assistant principal, who has been much warmer and easier to talk to.

When the principal first started, I read her mission statement carefully. In my view, she has not lived up to what she promised. She does not interact with students in a positive, visible way, and my daughter reports that when she does attempt to engage, she often comes across as rude rather than supportive.

I would be willing to share my email correspondence with the principal to illustrate these concerns, particularly around attendance policies. The handbook lists multiple thresholds for class cuts, yet enforcement has been inconsistent. There is also a troubling bathroom policy: only four students school‑wide may sign out to use the restroom at a time, across the entire junior/senior high. There are four bathroom locations, so students must coordinate to ensure they are all in different spots, and many teachers deny bathroom access altogether. The atmosphere feels more like a prison than a school. While I understand the need to address problematic behavior, the current approach treats every student as if they are a problem.

I hope bringing these experiences to light will encourage a serious, honest review of how Fostoria City Schools are being run, and how students and families are being treated.

Sincerely,
A Concerned FHS Parent