CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Nate Bronstein’s parents have gone to court again, this time filing a lawsuit for not allowing access to their son’s school records. The 15-year-old killed himself last year after being brutally cyberbullied by his classmates. A student of the Latin School of Chicago, Nate died in January 2020. In the initial lawsuit, Nate's parents, Robert and Rose Bronstein filed a $100 million lawsuit, blaming the school for turning a blind eye to the situation.
“We are entitled to our child's school records, regardless of a loss,” said Robert to the Chicago Tribune. “Any parent is, and the school has that statement in their policies and in their handbook that says if a parent wants their children's school files, here's the department that you go to. They are refusing because whatever's in the school files will show their negligence," he added. As per the lawsuit, the school violated a state law that requires all Illinois schools to thoroughly investigate reports of bullying and notify parents of the students involved. Moreover, it states that the school allows a culture of bullying.
'It is not appropriate to comment on this litigation at this time'
Nate's mother, Rose said, “They don't want us to put it out in the public. They don't want us to embarrass them, but we're entitled to do whatever we want with our children's school files. They belong to us.” She further explained, “That's why they won't give them to us. But if they had nothing to hide, if there was documentation that they did everything by the book and followed law, what problem do they have turning our school files over to us?” The school responded to the new lawsuit via mail, “Out of respect for all involved, we believe it is not appropriate to comment on this litigation at this time.”
Talking about the initial lawsuit, Rose said “We were aware of the bullying because he would come home and share with us information about what kids were doing to him. The isolation, the exclusion, the not feeling welcome. But Rob and I were not made aware of the cyberbullying that happened — ever.”
Who is the principal of the Latin School of Chicago?
Following the controversial death of their student Nate Bronstein, the sitting head of the school, Randall Dunn was sacked, and a new principal was installed in January 2022. The current head of the school is Dr Thomas Hagerman. He previously worked as the Superintendent of the Scarsdale Public Schools in Scarsdale, New York, reports the Daily Mail.
“Dr Hagerman's skills and experience align with these priorities in important ways. His leadership ability has been proven through years of consistent and collaborative management in complex academic settings, and he brings a deep understanding of the conditions required for innovative teaching and learning,” the school said in a statement at that time.
