Steven Mayer wrote that the district has many reasons to be proud, "yet we recognize that there is always more work to be done."
ROBBINSVILLE -- Superintendent of schools Steven Mayer issued a letter to the schools community Friday about the culture of the school district.
Steven Mayer "We have many reasons to be proud of our students and our school community, yet we recognize that there is always more work to be done," Mayer wrote.
"We will continue to find ways to make certain that our schools directly reflect our commitment to every learner, athlete, artist, and musician," the letter says.
The letter was sent to the schools community, then posted on the Robbinsville town page on Facebook.
On Wednesday, NJ Advance Media wrote about two parents who went to a school board meeting last week and said their children had been bullied for years while on Robbinsville High School sports teams.
The meeting was the first since a meeting in early January where an alleged assault and bullying incident on the wrestling team became public.
Two of the parents, Shannon Mackey and Karen Betts, said outside of the meeting that other families initially said they would speak out about past bullying, but decided against it at the last minute, saying they feared retribution.
In the letter Friday, Mayer lists the ways take advantage of "many opportunities to help create a safe, supportive, and inspiring community in each of our schools."
They include the hiring of Lee Rubin, a former collegiate athlete and expert in empowering bystanders and leaders to create healthy organizational culture. He is scheduled to work with coaches, advisors, and students on ways to lead an inclusive culture in athletics and other after-school programs.
Mayer had mentioned the hiring or Rubin at the meeting also.
Mayer concludes the letter by saying: "If you believe an issue needs to be addressed, our doors are always open. We welcome and encourage dialogue and feedback."
"Maintaining a strong culture, one in which students feel safe and secure, requires all of us to work together proactively and responsibly, to make sure that our schools' environment is the best that it can be."
The wrestling incident led to criminal charges against a senior wrestler, Dylan James, who was also removed from the team. James identified himself at the January meeting.
The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and Robbinsville police, in announcing aggravated assault and related charges against a 17-year-old student they did not name, said the suspect allegedly punched a juvenile victim in the chest and whipped the victim with a "speed jump rope with ball bearings."
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.