When: Columbia Borough school board meeting, April 15.

What happened: A Columbia Borough resident whose daughter is a student at the Hill Campus, addressed the board and superintendent regarding concerns of alleged bullying and racist incidents taking place at schools in the district. Her daughter was also present and spoke at the meeting. At least half a dozen students and parents rallied in support of the family at the meeting.

Public comment : At school, the mother said her daughter has been called more than one racial epithet. Additionally, the mother said her daughter has been sexually assaulted outside of school on the way home.

Quotable: “After a teacher laughed in class after my child was called (a racial epithet), I asked the principal for a meeting. There, we could not come to an agreement with anything and when we asked for an apology, we were told that could not happen,” the mother said.

Mom’s protest: In response to how the administration handled the incidents against her daughter and other students, the mother claimed she stood outside the Hill Campus building and held a sign stating, “My daughter is being bullied.” She alleged that, roughly an hour into the protest, the principal pulled her daughter aside at school, telling the young woman she was “embarrassed” by her mother’s actions.

More from mom: “People need to know that bullying is happening. Speak to the child. We love our children, so we want the bullying to be dealt with. I am asking the school board to somehow help us as parents and families figure out the next step,” the mother said.

Daughter speaks: “The principal, she doesn’t treat us fairly at all,” the girl said tearfully. “Sometimes I don’t want to come to school because of how people are treating me and my friends, and it’s hard.”

Response: District Superintendent Ashley Rizzo said, “Any time we are made aware of a concern, we investigate and act in a manner consistent with board policy. This practice aligns with most school districts. Additionally, we seek to establish and maintain a collaborative spirit with students and parents to resolve concerns.”

More: The superintendent said collaboration begins with the student and parent communicating directly with the school. “We also recognize that, at times, concerns may require more than one conversation to resolve effectively,” Rizzo said. “Unfortunately, neither has occurred, even though school administration and district office leadership have reached out to the parent multiple times.”

Dismissal time: The school board voted in favor of moving the student dismissal time at the Hill Campus from 3:05 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. This change will go into effect beginning in the 2025-26 year.

What’s next: The school board will meet May 6, followed by another full board meeting on May 15, both at 6 p.m., in the district administration building, 200 N. Fifth St.