In March, every fifth- through 12th-grade student in Clark County Public Schools participated in community conversations as part of On the Table, a single day of discussions geared toward making our community more welcoming and inclusive.

Students gathered in small groups and discussed prompts provided by the Clark County Community Foundation. Groups turned in note pages outlining their big ideas.

Following the discussions, students participated in an online survey facilitated by two national survey companies: Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies.

The results are now available.

While student’s overall feelings regarding the direction of the community have improved since last year, many issues still exist.

Students identified drug and alcohol use as the No. 1 issue that needs to be addressed by our community. George Rogers Clark High School students shared accounts of vaping, drug and alcohol use and drug dealing in their discussions. Sharing nude photos on social media was a major issue discussed at Campbell Junior High School.

“Nudes are common,” wrote one Campbell student. They described nude photos on social media and text messaging apps, not drugs, as the biggest issue facing their school.

According to the report, Campbell students specifically noted: “sexual orientation is a big deal.” They said it could lead to bullying and harassment by students.

Baker Intermediate students discussed the teasing and mocking of many students in the school’s special needs program. Students at the high school took a different view, stating that the school lacks a sense of community overall.

According to the report, students requested more schoolwide activities like pep-rallies and spirit days. Some students suggested school potlucks or cultural festivals to celebrate the diversity of the student body, potentially leading to more inclusiveness within the school community.

There is a lack of leadership, said one GRC student. Many other students made similar comments regarding a disconnect between administration and students. Student feedback provided comments that administrators should set more precedents of inclusiveness. Small acts could go a long way, like having the principals come out of their offices, “that would make them more approachable,” noted the high school students.

A failure to address issues or enforce consequences can lead to continued problems, noted students at Campbell and GRC. “Teachers never do anything to stop racism or homophobia,” stated one GRC student.

According to the report, others discussed what they view to be a clear line between who gets in trouble and who doesn’t.

School administration doesn’t universally apply discipline to all students. Some groups ⏤ like athletes ⏤ can get away with more, several high school participants said.

Bullying, racism and discrimination were the top additional issues identified across all participants.

CCCF also asked students where they feel most included, or a sense of community belonging, as compared to where they feel excluded or a sense of danger. Within the confines of the school, many students said they do not feel welcome on the school bus. Baker and Campbell students noted that recess and lunch are when they feel the loneliest. Several Baker students said that their school feels unwelcoming and “gloomy,” according to the report.

Most students stated that one of the places they feel most unsafe is the school bathroom. Multiple GRC students discussed drug use and drug deals occurring daily on school grounds, particularly in the bathrooms but also in the hallways. The resource officers never leave the camera room, remarked numerous GRC students. Students aren’t afraid of getting caught by the resource officers because they never check the bathrooms, even when the cigarette smoke detectors go off, noted another student.

Some students were unaware two resource officers were at the school because of a lack of visibility within the building, according to the report.

More than one student explained they try not to use the restroom for the entire school day out of fear of witnessing a drug deal or drug usage. It’s not only drug use but also alcohol use during the school day. Students remarked that many students come to school drunk or high, or sneak in alcohol and drink during the school day.

“If the school found out someone was doing drugs, they wouldn’t do anything about it,” one GRC student said.

How can Clark County resolve these issues?

Visibility of leadership, developing a school community and increasing opportunities to be involved in extracurricular activities both at school and within Winchester were some of the suggestions provided by students.

When asked directly how the students would get involved, the top responses were to make a special effort to include someone who has been left out. Students also identified a need to raise awareness among other young people about these issues and volunteer.

According to the report, students said if the schools offered more clubs during in-school club days, more kids could find ways to get involved. A lot of clubs currently provided are based on grades. “Just because you don’t have a 4.0 doesn’t mean you don’t want to be involved,” said one participant. It would also be helpful to have more opportunities like this (On the Table) for students to be able to share their ideas and voices, stated others.

Campbell students also stated that teachers and counselors should provide additional lessons specifically on dealing with bullying, suicide prevention and feelings of loneliness or helplessness. “We should have more ‘what would you do?’ questions,” said one student, referencing a learning series that students participated in previously

Baker students also requested additional in-class lessons explicitly targeted at how to stop a bully or how to safely intervene if someone is a victim of bullying. Students also suggested adding “buddy benches” to their playgrounds. A “buddy bench” is an identified bench where students sit when they are feeling lonely or need a “buddy” with whom to play. Other students then know to include that student in their activities proactively. Adding sign language classes and other opportunities to discuss inclusion for students with special needs was another suggested solution from Baker participants.

After 2018’s On the Table discussions focused on school safety and violence prevention, Clark County Community Foundation provided $50,000 to the school district for safety upgrades in line with the results of the report. An additional $27,920 was granted to the CCPS for The Leadership Project to provide training to teachers to implement student leadership activities in the classroom. Clark County Public Schools also used the 2018 report to implement changes, such as the creation of an anonymous tip line and an increase in student and family access to mental health professionals.

This project was part of On the Table, a national civic engagement initiative supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; The Chicago Community Trust initially developed it.

CCCF Chair Alex Rowady said the foundation is thankful the school system allowed the organization to go into classrooms to carry out these conversations for a second year.

“As the Clark County Community Foundation, we don’t want to just identify issues, we want to help implement solutions,” Rowady said.

Clark County Community Foundation will continue its work in partnership with Clark County Public Schools to address issues outlined in the report.

Since conversations in March, CCPS officials have worked to implement changes, including altering rules around bus transportation. The school district will also work to increase awareness of the anonymous tip line, including listing the number on the jumbotron at the new Cardinal Stadium.

Superintendent Paul Christy said the district appreciates CCCF and its work to give a voice to the students.

“We have reviewed this report at the district and school levels and will use the information provided to make improvements for all of our students,” Christy said. “We want our students to know that they have been heard.”

Clark County Community Foundation also hosted a public communitywide On the Table event. Adult participants overwhelmingly discussed walkability, accessibility and safety, along with a community socio-economic divide.

Participants also proposed a solution: increased outreach by civic and religious organizations centered around inclusivity and acceptance.

People can access the full 2019 On the Table report at www.bgcf.org/clarkcounty. Clark County Community Foundation is an affiliate of Blue Grass Community Foundation. Since its inception in 1998, CCCF has granted more than $4 million for the benefit of Clark County.

For additional information, contact Halee Cunningham at halee@bgcf.org.