DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson lifted a ban on marching band activities Wednesday but kept her silence about possible bullying incidents that led to the suspension that affected 19 high schools in the district.
The schools chief said the district has “zero tolerance” for hazing or bullying and will continue to look into reports of inappropriate behavior in marching bands. The activities of adults in charge of marching band programs are the focus of the probe.
“I want students and parents to know that we are lifting the suspension on marching band activities,” Atkinson said. “We have met with all of our high school principals and band directors to make sure they understand their responsibility and accountability for students regarding our policies when it comes to band activities.”
The announcement ended the suspension that affected all but select band activities at DeKalb high schools with marching bands.
Students celebrated the lifting of the ban Wednesday. Some parents wondered why the district went to the extreme without revealing any incidents that led to the ban or announcing steps to ensure the safety of marching band students.
"I thought it was overkill from the beginning," said Keith Sailor, the band booster president at Southwest DeKalb High School. "I would love to see what the findings are and the documentation that prompted the investigation. Right now the only thing that has taken place is that the reputations of some of the kids have been tarnished. Nothing has been changed."
The investigation began after two alleged hazing incidents at Florida A&M University involving marching band students who had attended DeKalb schools.
Robert Champion, who died Nov. 19, was a Southwest DeKalb graduate. So is FAMU clarinetist Bria Hunter, who suffered a broken leg in a separate incident. Two of the three FAMU band members who were charged with punching her also attended Southwest DeKalb. The third graduated from Druid Hills High School, also in DeKalb.
The DeKalb band probe began in mid-December and is expected to last up to 60 days, DeKalb Schools spokesman Walter Woods said.
Woods said the district has received information on a "small number" of incidents of "harassment and intimidation" investigators are looking into. He did not reveal what took place or at which schools. He said the actions of band directors, assistant band directors, alumni helpers and volunteers at all schools with marching bands are being investigated.
“We have many people that touch the band,” Woods said. “We need to make sure that the adults responsible for the band, the principal, the band directors are following our policies.’’
Woods said suspending all but select marching band activities allowed the district to make sure students were safe.
The investigation could lead to disciplinary action and possibly criminal charges, he said.
“If we determine that actions have taken place that were criminal or against our policy, decisive action will be taking place,” Woods said.
Parents concerned about the length of the investigation worried that seniors this year could win fewer scholarships because of the negative publicity.
“We know that band is a very positive experience for our students,” Atkinson said. “We fully expect for it to continue to be that.”
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