Student sues Pinellas schools

ST. PETERSBURG - An Azalea Middle School student is suing the Pinellas School Board, alleging that an environment of intolerance and indifference left him permanently injured by bullies.

Jarrard Jackson claims he was assaulted at least three times by the same group of boys. The lawsuit came after he was bullied on his school bus, and he and his mother spoke to school officials.

"Boys will be boys," Velma Newmon recalls. "That was the quote I got from the counseler. Boys will be boys."

The lawsuit claims Azalea officials were notified of bullying on a school on a Friday last March, and the following Monday, Jackson was jumped on school property. His mother was called and advised he might be emergency room care. She claims while she was en route, the assailants were scolded, and when they left the principal's office, they "jumped him again- caused him to chip his tooth, fractured his arm and he was bruised up really bad." Newmon says.

Jackson was out of school for several days, and even with his arm in a sling, he was allegedly attacked again moments after getting off his school bus.

Attorney Darryl Rouson says the family is seeking compensation for medical bills and wants proof the school system has an effective policy to counter bullying. His young client has been withdrawn and largely housebound since the attacks, but his mother says he is slowly getting involved with school activities again.

"This is his opportunity to tell his story," Rouson says. "He's realizing that this is his opportunity to make sure this doesn't happen to other children, so he's standing up."

A spokeswoman for Pinellas Schools declines to address the specific allegations, but points out the school board passed a comprehensive strategy last year to counter bullies and their unwanted behaviors.