Alleged Bullying Incident At Salem High Brings Investigation

CANTON, MI — Plymouth-Canton Community Schools is investigating an alleged bullying incident in the Salem High School locker room after hours. Communications Director Nicholas Brandon wouldn’t specify details of the incident or when it occurred, but said the district began investigating it on Saturday.

While Brandon didn’t identify which team the bullying incident involved, Patch obtained an e-mail sent by Salem Athletic Director Brian Samulski to football parents on Saturday at 5:18 p.m.

“Dear Football Families,” the email states, “we wanted you to be aware of the fact that we are currently investigating an incident that was alleged to have occurred in the locker room between students. We spoke to several students today and will continue the investigation through the day Monday.”

Brandon declined to say if the Canton Township Police Department is involved in the investigation. Canton Police did not return a phone call from Patch seeking comment.

“While we are still looking into the details of the situation, we do know at this point that this is not an issue of team hazing,” Brandon said in a statement. “Because the bullying is the result of an individual student’s actions, there is no further information that can be provided at this time.”

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Salem and district administrators are conducting the investigation, Brandon said. Disciplinary action against any student(s) short of expulsion would be handled by Salem administrators. The Board of Education votes on expulsion cases, Brandon said.

“Bullying will never be tolerated by P-CCS,” he said in the statement. “It is well known that bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn. The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts.”

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