J-E student speaking out against bullying and racism at school board meeting

JORDAN, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — It was a conversation that Melissa Ellingworth will never forget having with her son Trevor.

“It was February 8th of 2023, and we were driving in the car together and he started talking like it he just let it rip off his tongue. These kids were saying hateful things, ever bleach yourself so you could be white, white power, lots of slurs,” Melissa detailed.

For Melissa, it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions fighting with the school to get them to understand accountability. As for Trevor, he’s been speaking up for himself and all the other kids experiencing something similar.

“It’s not a right thing to do to a kid especially so I thought to fight against it and prove that a small voice can count,” Trevor said.

Melissa, a graduate of Jordan-Elbridge, is no longer feeling proud to be a part of that school.

“The school is broken to me every varsity letter everything that I have that says Jordan-Elbridge is almost like a shame,” she said. “It’s unfortunate because I had a great experience here it was nothing like this and to have my son go through this really is disappointing and disturbing.”

Superintendent James Froio addressed the incidents at the Jordan-Elbridge Board Meeting.

“I do believe the district responded appropriately complying with our policies when the issue was brought to our attention. We responded with an investigation. When founded we responded with practices that would teach students how to do better. We respond with disciplinary action in accordance with the student code of conduct,” Superintendent Froio said.

He also pledged to be more proactive when teaching students.

“We have to do more to teach students that bias language is never appropriate whether it’s used towards a friend or a foe. All racially biased language is malicious hateful, and we have no tolerance of it,” Superintendent Froio said.

Regardless, Melissa still has questions she wants answered. Trevor will finish his school year at home and then transfer to a new school district to begin high school.

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