Picked-On and Punished

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Story Published: Sep 3, 2008 at 6:23 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 2:39 AM MDT

By Rick Montañez

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IDAHO FALLS - We've all dealt with bullying, especially in Junior High. A local father called Eyewitness News saying his son is being punished for defending himself.

The father told Eyewitness News that his son received the same punishment as the kid who picked on him.

It started at a back to school dance last week, according to the father, Travis Covert, his son was punched by another kid. When he defended himself, he got suspended for fighting.

Pretty much everyone deals with bullying at some point in school...but for Trevor Covert, he's being punished for an incident where he was bullied. According to his father, Travis Covert, another boy ran up, took his son's hat and punched him.

"He started to walk off, the boy came up behind him, hit him in the back of the head, knocked him to the ground and continued to pound him while he was on his knees," says Travis Covert. "While he was on the ground, he was screaming and hollering, waiting for a teacher or administrator."

This is when, according to the school, Covert went from victim to trouble-maker.

"He pushed the boy away, that's when the teacher came up," says Covert.

Since he pushed the boy, technically he was fighting. School District 91 has a strong policy banning that kind of behavior.

"Rick: If some kid gets picked on and fights back, is that considered they're both fighting."
"They're both considered fighting, its disruptive behavior, and it could create an unsafe condition for other students," says Communications Specialist for District 91, Rene Miller.

The district has another strict policy banning its employees from talking to the media about specific punishment, but it does want you to know, even when being picked on, if you hit back you're considered to be fighting. No exceptions.

"It wouldn't be fair to be making exceptions, they need to learn what is acceptable and is not acceptable," says Miller.

But, Covert thinks his son is being treated unfairly.

"This is completely absurd," says Covert. "He's a big kid, and we preach to him all the time, no fighting, no fighting, unless somebody's got you down and beating you."

Both the boys were given 3 days in school suspension and a written warnings. If they fight again, they will be given a fines.

Covert did say he talked with the school about the problems the boys have had in the past...and the district says it will stand by its policies to prevent and deal with these situations

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