School leaders discuss online bullying prevention tool, as former RCSS parent speaks on daughter's two-year-long dilemma
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A Richmond County parent recently decided to take her child out of the school system because of what she calls a two-year-long bullying problem.
Dr. Denise Granberry says she's been homeschooling her daughter for the past two months after a bullying problem that spanned more than two years at Cross Creek High School.
Richmond County School leaders hope an online tool they've put in place will make it easier for them to address bullying.
Granberry says her daughter's bully was a former boyfriend.
What started as name calling turned into harassment and cyberbullying—for her daughter, it became too much.
'I feel like—I was heartbroken, and as a concerned parent, the school system failed me,' said Granberry.
Georgia state law requires parents to be notified of bullying situations.
Her daughter brought her concerns to school leaders, but Granberry says they did not take proper action.
Her daughter then pepper-sprayed the alleged bully in what Granberry says self-defense, resulting in a 10-day suspension.
'We did proper protocol and reached out to the principal, and the principal just swept it under the rug. By him doing that, it made it unsafe for her,' Granberry said. 'She had no one to talk to about it, and by them not doing anything about it, she took it upon herself to protect herself. My daughter was not protected, and my daughter was not safe. So, for me as a parent, I took her out of the school system.'
Since Granberry started homeschooling her daughter, she says her situation has improved tremendously.
'She's doing wonderful,' said Granberry. 'My daughter loves homeschool.'
To help with bullying prevention, the school system is using an online tool known as SPRIGEO.
Parents and students can find it on the school district's main website, and can use it to submit anonymous tips about a bullying problem.
Interim Deputy Superintendent Marcus Allen says they've used the application for the last two school years, and the results have been positive.
'Parents and students feel very confident in being able to get that information in and getting a response as well. So that's where we've seen the improvement for students and staff to have a voice, and for parents to have a voice in putting bullying out. Sometimes, they don't want to tell someone, or they're concerned about the response. SPRIGEO gives them a chance to do it anonymously or with their name as well,' said Allen.
He says parents and students can send requests for tips even outside of bullying.
'It could be bullying—which is the focus of SPRIGEO—but it could also come down to I'm just feeling like I'm not prepared for school tomorrow,' Allen said. 'They will put in a tip that requires general information, and that goes to leaders in that school—but also leaders at the school district as well to help monitor that process all the way through.'
While bullying is a nationwide issue, Allen says Richmond County schools are safe learning environments—but improving safety must be a collective effort.
'We have a major part in making sure the kids are safe. The community has a major part in that as well. The students have a major part in that as well. No matter what tool you have in place, there has to be some level of announcement of the issue as well,' said Allen.
'I really do pray that they do something about it, and they listen to what we're saying, so that nobody's child will have to go through what my child went through,' Granberry said.
School leaders say Granberry's experience motivates them even more to do everything they can to prevent bullying and ensure safety for all students.
'The ultimate way that we fix the uniqueness of each situation is by fair and clear communication. When you have two-way communication, you understand a person's need. When you have a plan to address that concern, we can begin to build that relationship to ultimately serve students best—and that's why we're all here,' said Allen.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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