Settlement reached in bullying case

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BLUE SPRINGS, Mo., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- A Missouri school district and the family of an elementary student who committed suicide as a result of alleged bullying have reached a settlement.

The settlement between Kimberly and Randy Myers and the Blue Springs School District and Wally Stine was approved by a federal judge Wednesday, The (Independence) Examiner reported.

The Myers alleged the school district did not properly train its employees to recognize or prevent bullying and that teachers and administrators failed to protect their 12-year-old son Brandon, who committed suicide in February 2007.

Stine, the father of one of Brandon's tormentors, was singled out in the lawsuit because because the Myers allege that he not only condoned but encouraged his son's behavior.

The financial terms of the settlement have been kept confidential, but the school district has agreed to create an annual bullying awareness day and have two additional administrators undergo off-site bullying awareness training.

Stine must also write a letter of apology to the Myers as part of the settlement.