Investigation into NH highschool college students allegedly sharing ‘buying and selling playing cards’ grading college students’ physique components finds photographs however no playing cards or grades

Faculty directors in Bedford, N.H., investigating allegations that top faculty college students had been sharing “buying and selling playing cards” that graded different college students’ physique components say they’ve discovered picture collages of scholars shared with out their permission, however no such buying and selling playing cards. 

On Sept. 21, Bedford Excessive Faculty Principal Robert Jozokos alerted mother and father that underclassmen boys had been allegedly taking footage of upperclassmen ladies’ “buttocks and breasts with out the ladies’ data, grading them, and sharing these with one another.” 

There have been additionally stories that the photographs and scores had been shared on buying and selling playing cards, he stated. The principal stated these accountable would face suspension and different disciplinary motion. 

The next day at midday, Bedford Superintendent Michael Fournier messaged mother and father to make clear the scenario, and stated that whereas the allegations had been reported by a “courageous” pupil, at the moment, “no pupil victims or perpetrators [had] been recognized.”

That night, Jozokos despatched one other replace to folks. He stated he and different directors had interviewed round 35 college students concerning the allegations that day. 

Late within the afternoon, Jozokos stated, a pupil confirmed them two footage that had been collages of ladies in bathing fits, shirts, and shorts that had been despatched by way of Snapchat. Not one of the footage had been nude or taken on the faculty, however they had been shared with out the ladies’ consent.

“As of proper now, we all know two college students obtained pictures, and pupil stories level to 3 to 5 college students sharing them,” Jozokos wrote.

The college contacted the mother and father of any ladies who had been recognized as being within the photographs, and any ladies who’re recognized sooner or later could have their mother and father notified, the principal stated. He didn’t say whether or not the scholars believed to be concerned with sharing the photographs would face disciplinary motion.

“There are some issues we’re nonetheless looking for out. We’ve not been capable of finding any bodily buying and selling playing cards, though a number of college students talked about listening to about them. We’ve not seen any footage taken inside the varsity, though a number of college students additionally talked about that taking place,” Jozokos wrote.

Directors additionally didn’t discover any pictures with college students’ names or scores on them, he stated. Although directors heard a report about this on Thursday, the principal stated, on Friday whereas investigating, they didn’t. 

“Your entire pupil physique has been very cooperative right now. They’re additionally very upset,” he wrote. 

Jozokos requested mother and father to contact the varsity with something they could know concerning the allegations. He stated he can be assembly with class officers to make a plan to deal with the scenario, and that councilors had been made obtainable to college students.

Faculty useful resource officers had been up to date on the scenario, Jozokos stated. On Monday, the Bedford Police Division shared a press launch dated Sept. 22 that stated the division “has not obtained any pictures, info, or proof of a violation of New Hampshire legislation” in reference to the allegations. 

“The Bedford Police Division stays prepared to research and assessment any pictures, proof, or info relating to allegations of violations of New Hampshire felony legislation with respect [to] this matter,” the division wrote. 

At a Bedford Faculty Board assembly Monday night time, the board didn’t tackle the allegations instantly, and few public feedback had been made concerning the matter. One girl stated she was involved concerning the privateness and psychological well being of scholars who could also be accused of being concerned within the allegations.

Even so, by Tuesday afternoon, a petition to expel the scholars liable for the alleged buying and selling playing cards had garnered over 3,700 signatures. Many individuals claiming to be feminine Bedford Excessive Faculty college students commented on the petition to say they had been disturbed and disgusted by the allegations and need the varsity to take additional motion.