Bullying can deeply affect a child’s learning, confidence, and sense of safety. For families living through it, the experience can feel isolating, confusing, and overwhelming.
I want to begin by acknowledging what many parents are feeling: when your child is hurting, you are not looking for bureaucracy or blame; you are looking for help, clarity, and someone to take your concerns seriously. Too often, parents feel they are navigating this alone, unsure where to turn or what steps actually lead to action.
This guide is meant to offer clarity. It explains what counts as bullying, what schools are required to do, and what parents can do when concerns are not handled properly; not to escalate conflict, but to protect students and support resolution.
This applies to Mankato Area Public Schools and to all Minnesota school districts, because every child deserves to feel safe at school, and every parent deserves a process they can understand and trust.
1. What Is Bullying?
Bullying is not just one disagreement or argument.
Bullying may include:
- Repeated threatening, intimidating, or abusive behavior
- Targeting a specific student on purpose
- Behavior that makes school feel unsafe or hostile
- Actions that interfere with learning
Examples include:
- Verbal harassment or name-calling
- Physical actions
- Social exclusion or isolation
- Cyberbullying (including off-campus behavior that affects school)
2. How Can Bullying Be Reported?
Bullying Report Form (Section 542-12 Last page of the form) at Mankato Area Public Schools. (every school in Minnesota will have a similar form in accordance with State Statue 121A.031
Bullying concerns can be reported:
- By students
- By parents or guardians
- By staff
- Anonymously
Once a report is made, the school must take it seriously.
👉 Reporting does not mean the school has decided what happened.
It means an investigation must begin.
3. What Must the School Do After a Report?
Schools are required to:
- Acknowledge the report
- Investigate promptly
- Document what they find
- Decide whether the behavior meets the definition of bullying
- Take steps to protect students
Possible actions may include:
- Counseling or support
- Behavioral interventions
- Separating students when needed
- Discipline when appropriate
The goal is student safety and correcting behavior;.
4. Retaliation Is Not Allowed
Students and families have the right to report concerns without fear.
Schools may not:
- Punish a student for reporting
- Treat families as “difficult” for raising concerns
- Ignore or minimize reports
If retaliation happens, that is a separate violation.
5. What Parents Should Expect From Communication
Parents have a right to:
- Know their concern was taken seriously
- Be told that an investigation occurred
- Be informed of general steps taken to protect their child
Schools cannot share private discipline details about other students, but lack of detail should not feel like lack of action.
6. What Bullying Is Not
- Not every conflict is bullying
- Not every disagreement meets the definition
- Some single incidents may still need intervention
However, repeated concerns should not be dismissed as “normal conflict” if a child’s well-being is affected.
7. What Parents Can Do: Keep Records
Keeping records helps everyone.
What to write down:
- Dates and times
- Where incidents happened
- Who was involved
- Witnesses (if known)
- What happened (facts only)
- Evidence (texts, emails, screenshots, photos)
📌 Keeping records does not escalate conflict; it helps schools investigate properly. Send a follow up email after every conversation.
8. What If the School Does Not Follow the Process?
In Minnesota, bullying response procedures are required by law, not optional.
If a school or district:
- Refuses to investigate
- Ignores reports
- Fails to document
- Allows retaliation
Parents may take next steps.
9. Next Steps If Concerns Are Ignored
Step 1: Put concerns in writing
- Reference the bullying report
- Ask what steps were taken
- Keep copies of all communication
State-Level Complaint (Minnesota)
Minnesota Department of Education – Safe and Supportive Schools / Bullying Compliance
There is no single bullying-specific complaint form on the MDE site, but parents can file a formal complaint when required processes (like investigation, documentation, or corrective action) are not followed. MDE oversees compliance with the Safe and Supportive Schools Act and bullying law (Minn. Stat. § 121A.031).
👉 Starting point for a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Education:
https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/edi/act/bprev/index.htm
This page explains how formal complaints are handled and provides instructions and forms to submit concerns about compliance.
For general assistance or help completing a complaint:
📌 MDE Division of Assistance and Compliance:
Email: mde.compliance-assistance@state.mn.us
Phone: (651) 582-8689
Federal Civil Rights Complaint (U.S. Dept. of Education – OCR)
If bullying involves discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age, parents may file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR):
👉 OCR Discrimination Complaint Form (online & PDF):
https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/file-complaint/ocr-discrimination-complaint-form
This portal lets you file online or download a fillable PDF complaint form.
📌 General civil rights info & contact for OCR:
https://ocrcas.ed.gov/office-for-civil-rights-discrimination-complaint-form
Summary of Key Complaint Resources
State (Bullying & Safe and Supportive Schools Compliance):
- Minnesota Dept. of Education – Bullying & Safe Schools complaints
👉 https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/edi/act/bprev/index.htm
Federal (Civil Rights Complaints):
U.S. Dept. of Education – Office for Civil Rights
👉 https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/file-complaint/ocr-discrimination-complaint-form
10. Bottom Line
- Bullying policies exist to protect students
- Process matters
- Documentation matters
- Speaking up is not being difficult; it is advocating
When schools follow the process, students are safer and trust is stronger.
Closing
Closing Message to Parents
I want to close by acknowledging something I am hearing directly from parents.
Many families are turning to social media simply to find answers or to connect with other parents who have faced similar situations so they can work toward solutions together. Too often, those posts are removed. Parents then go to the police, to the newspaper, and to school board members and still do not feel heard.
There are no easy answers here. Some of the challenges come from state policy, and some come from local policy. That complexity can be incredibly frustrating when your child is hurting and you just want help.
What I do know is this: change does not happen without documentation. Documentation does not guarantee resolution and I am truly sorry for that reality. I know how exhausting it is to keep reporting, keep writing, keep advocating, and still feel stuck.
But your children — all of our students — are worth the work of continuing to try.
If you are not being heard locally, keep going. Email the state. Contact your legislators. Reach out to local school board members. Continue to file reports. Keep records. Every step you take matters, even when it feels invisible.
And please remember this: the most important and powerful advocate in your child’s life is you. Your voice matters. Your persistence matters. And your care for your child is something no policy can replace.
Thank you for continuing to show up for your kids.
Elizabeth Hanke
Speaking on behalf of my constituents in Mankato Minnesota
Other Local Bullying Stories and Resources:
Our Journey with Bullies: A Family’s Solution and Lessons Learned – Mankato
Elizabeth Hanke for Mankato School Board 
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