School Bus Driver Mom Confronts Octorara Board Over Son’s Concussion After PSP Probe

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A tense confrontation over student safety unfolded at the Octorara Area School Board meeting on Monday, Nov. 17, as a school bus driver and mother challenged board members about her son’s concussion and the district’s handling of bullying in the wake of a Pennsylvania State Police investigation into a reported strangulation at the middle school.

The meeting began with tributes to retiring members Koenecker and Hurley and moved quickly into salary approvals, including raises for several administrators tied to what officials described as years of “underpayment.” The board also completed first readings of revised policies, including those for academic standards, discrimination, harassment, and curriculum.

Mother Says Son Was Hospitalized For A Concussion

About 36 minutes into the meeting, a mother named Michelle (last name unclear) approached the microphone. She said she took her son to the hospital on Thursday, Nov. 13, where he was diagnosed with a concussion. She attempted to address the matter under agenda item 10, which included Policy 103 on discrimination and harassment affecting students.

Board members immediately encouraged her to handle the matter privately, but Michelle responded by pointing out that bullying is not just an issue about her family. She asked the board questions like: “What if this were a child in your family being bullied? What would you do to make sure they are safe?”

A board member began to respond, calling it “a difficult situation” and referencing district policies, but Michelle — cut him off:

“The policies you have in place are not working.”

When the board again pushed for a private discussion, Michelle countered, “But it is not a safe environment.” The board member answered:

“Eh, well, it is a work in progress.”

Michelle then asked how many board members currently have children or grandchildren in the district. After several seconds of silence, only three responded "yes."

She told the board she also drives a school bus in the district and is well aware of bullying and similar harassment happening during school hours and on school grounds.

Board Member Brian Norris Responds to Viral Facebook Thread

During the exchange, the speaking board member’s nameplate came into view, identifying him as Mr. Norris. Public election records show he is Brian K. Norris, the Region 1 representative.

Norris addressed the viral Facebook posts discussing the Nov. 6 strangulation incident at Octorara Middle School — the same incident in which PSP reported five students were arrested and classified the offense as strangulation in their public information release.

You can read the full release below or by clicking here and scrolling to page 8:

Norris said the “facts” circulating online — using air quotes as he spoke — were “dramatically different than what we were told were the facts of the matter.” He said the situation “snowballed” and “escalated into this event that didn’t represent anything that actually happened to these two students that were involved in it.”

He added: “So as a board, we have to distance ourselves from that.”

Michelle responded emotionally, saying that listening to children describe unsafe experiences is fundamentally different from hearing assurances from administrators. “There is no advocacy happening with the administration that is here,” she said.

Norris disagreed. “I’ll defend them,” he said. “Everyone here advocates every day for everyone’s safety and well-being… It is a constant struggle to make everyone feel safe.”

“A child should feel safe coming to school,” Michelle replied.

“I 100% agree,” Norris said. “There is not a person here who would disagree with you.”

Michelle answered, “And watching children come to school every day and not feel safe is not the way to be.”

School Solicitor Intervenes

School solicitor Jeff Litts then stepped in, asking Michelle to speak with the superintendent after the meeting and assuring her that the board would “lead an investigation” into her son’s case. Michelle said she wanted all children to feel safe and asked the board to review the policy publicly.

Litts replied, “Again, you can share with us the information and we can go over it case by case.” Michelle turned off the microphone and walked away. It is unclear whether she stayed to discuss her son’s specific case after the meeting.

Board Member Metzler Acknowledges Concerns

After Michelle’s departure, board member Joelyn Metzler thanked her for coming forward. Metzler said the revisions to Policy 103 provide clearer procedures for responding to concerns and told Michelle — who was no longer present — that it was “right for you to hold us to that.”

“I hope you will find that we are moving the conversation forward,” Metzler said. “You’re raising an important conversation.”

You can watch the full meeting here or in the player below:

Once the full meeting minutes are posted, they will be available here. 

What's Next?

The next time the policy will be discussed, and the community will have a chance to speak with the board publicly, is:

• Policy/Finance Committee Meeting: Monday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m.
• Regular Board Meeting: Monday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.

Both meetings will be held in the Middle School Multi-Purpose Room.

Mr. Norris also has a Change.org page for Region 1 community members to submit a petition for "something you want to see change in your community". You can start a petition by clicking here. 

Daily Voice invites Michelle, the board, and other concerned parents to email us a statement about safety in the Octorara School District by emailing jpikora@dailyvoice.com.