The Case Of Myers V. Blue Springs School District

The lethal actions taken by students nationwide, and even worldwide, contribute to a loss of students from suicide in the education system. In the case of Myers v. Blue Springs School District, a 12 year old boy had hung himself due to constant tormenting from fellow classmates because of his Cleft Palate. The bullying occurred from 2001 to 2007 and ended violently in February of 2007 with the 12 year hanging himself. Brandon Myers underwent various surgeries to improve his smiling, which still kept a speech impediment. Despite the hardships, Myers also continuously dealt with the his diagnosis with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD, keeping in mind of Myers having to deal with his parents divorcing, which did not

The bullying also continued because he was in speech therapy class, and special education classes, while attending school in the Blue Springs School District, as this made him a target for the bullies since he was different. This case is another example of how a code of conduct, focusing on those who are victimized in an educational setting, should be placed in all school districts in order for no more traumatic events to occur because of a lack of displaying compassion in a place where all students should feel safe.

Brandon Myers had asked for help, which was during school hours and in a classroom setting, to which the school never paid attention and had never gone to see if he was doing well in the environment, despite knowing that Brandon went to a counselor outside of school and was enrolled in special classes. Brandon also had clinical depression, with his parents known divorce, special education classes, speech impediment, ADHD, and his

The plaintiffs in the case, Brandon’s parents, were suing based on the school failing to handle harassment at the school. More claims of wrongful death because of negligence and discrimination against Brandon’s disabilities were a part of the case, as well as suing parents for harassment and emotional distress. The Myers had claimed that the staff members were fostering a system where bullying was being able to thrive in the school and have no consequence, which still seemed to be the case when the life threatening notes were given to the school and no direct action was being taken for the victim. This also includes how the district officials, along with the employees, had kept the evidence and destroyed it to essentially keep the school protected. In March of 2010, the plaintiff’s Rehabilitation Act claim was dismissed in favor of the defendants, but kept all other respects in the case. Several years later, in May of 2012, the Court granted that partial summary judgement, given by the plaintiffs on neglect and wrongful death, would be given to the defendants. In addition to that, in August of 2012, the Court had decided that the defendants were not performing the discretionary function that should have been done. In spite of the devastating, traumatic event that transpired, the plaintiffs agreed to settle for $500,000 at the end of