Adams County Ohio Valley School District Treasurer Sherri Spencer, Board President Gay Lynn Shipley, and Superintendent Dawn Wallace listen to community comments and take notes during Monday night’s school board meeting at the Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center. (Photo by Ryan Applegate)
By Ryan Applegate
People’s Defender
The Adams County Ohio Valley School District has responded to mounting public unease and strong criticism following anti-bullying assemblies held last week at West Union Elementary School and West Union High School. The programs were presented by the Echo Dance Team, also known as J-Line Music, and although district officials say the events were approved and vetted, community members have expressed frustration about how the program was selected and communicated.
According to a statement from the district, the assemblies were authorized by building administrators. The group was chosen based on strong recommendations from several other Ohio school districts where similar performances had been presented in the past. Those districts reportedly described the assemblies as positive and energetic and praised their messages about self-esteem and inclusion. Administrators said they reviewed the group’s website before scheduling the program and found it aligned with the district’s anti-bullying goals.
The district stated that the content of the program included messages about standing up for oneself and others, reporting bullying to trusted adults, and encouraging students to set goals and include peers who may be left out. At the high school level, the lead performer spoke about persistence and goal setting between dance routines, while screens displayed visual messages promoting kindness and inclusion. Staff members compared the event to “Kid Bopz” versions of popular music, and the song “Pink Pony Club,” which in its original form contains adult themes, was reportedly rewritten to make it appropriate for students. According to the district staff more than 70 teachers, staff members, and administrators attended the performances, and none contacted the district office afterward to report inappropriate content.
Despite those assurances, several parents and community members voiced frustration and concern during the Adams County Ohio Valley School District Board of Education meeting held Monday evening at the Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center. Board President Gay Lynn Shipley addressed the audience directly. “We want to let all of you know that we have heard your concerns,” she said. “We take them seriously and we will be moving forward checking our policies to see that things are vetted appropriately and that we are doing the right things that move our children forward in this district.”
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