A prominent magnet program at a Cobb County high school has come under fire after more than 50 former students alleged that they were bullied and harassed by faculty, Channel 2 Action News reported.
The complaints, which were posted on social media, were made toward staff at the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts at Pebblebrook High School in Mableton, Channel 2 reported. The accusations prompted the Cobb County School District to open an investigation.
Sydney Rudd, who graduated from the program in 2018, told Channel 2 she witnessed several forms of abuse that included, “name calling, body shaming (and) not allowing people to be called by their own names.”
RELATED: Parents want new building for Cobb performing arts school
She claims the center’s director participated in harassment and turned a blind eye to abuse from colleagues.
“We’ve had the director of the program come up to females and say they need to shake it harder,” Rudd told Channel 2. “And as a 16-year-old girl, that is sexualizing a girl.”
The school district told the news station that it is aware of the allegations and has opened a human resources investigation. The district said it will “follow the facts wherever they lead” but would not comment further.
MORE: Following criticism, Cobb schools releases details of August reopening
Despite the allegations, several parents and graduates are coming to the faculty members’ defense, saying there was never any bullying or abuse.
This includes Jennifer Wilkes, whose daughter graduated in 2015 and who was a former school board member.
RELATED: Cobb BOE approves $48 million Pebblebrook High School project
“Bullying? Absolutely not. Never, ever, ever,” she told Channel 2. “Was it always sunshine and roses? Did my daughter have a smile on her face every time I picked her up? No, but that’s life.”
Wilkes argued that the school’s staff pushes students hard, which leads to prestigious results. Graduates of the program have appeared in 67 Broadway shows, according to Channel 2.
MORE: Parents blast Cobb schools for proposal to move magnet programs
“As a mom, if I ever had any instinct something was going on at that school — that my child was being bullied, harassed, abused — I would’ve pulled her out in a New York minute,” Wilkes said.
However, Rudd claims the program has systematic problems that requires widespread staff changes.
“(It’s) a systematic problem, so it stems from the top,” she said. “And until there’s a new person up there, I don’t think change will ever happen.”
In other news:
Credit: AJC
About the Author
