Peach County Schools responds to questions about bullying definition
Superintendent says bullying guidance includes both Georgia law and broader standards used in schools
FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Peach County Schools is outlining how it responds to bullying reports and encouraging families to stay engaged after a recent internal review.
In a message shared with families, district leaders said many situations reported as bullying are determined to be mutual conflicts between students and do not meet Georgia’s legal definition of bullying.
According to the district’s message, for behavior to be considered bullying under state law, it must involve an imbalance of power, repeated actions or a strong likelihood the behavior will continue, and conduct that is severe, persistent, or pervasive.
41NBC reached out to the district to clarify the origin of those requirements, since the “imbalance of power” and repetition criteria are not listed in the Official Code of Georgia (§ 20-2-751.4). In an email to 41NBC, Peach County Superintendent Dr. Jesse Davis said the district’s statement was intended to provide a “general understanding” and was not meant to “quote or attempt to paraphrase any one specific legal authority’s definition.”
Davis said that while the “severe, persistent, or pervasive” language was borrowed from the Georgia statute, the other components—including the “power imbalance” and repetition requirements—were borrowed from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and what he referred to as the Department of Education’s definition of bullying.
“Although the CDC and ED definition of bullying is not incorporated verbatim into the definition of bullying under Georgia law, the components included in that definition are commonly considered by administrators throughout Georgia school districts when investigating reports of bullying within schools,” Davis wrote.
The district’s FY 2026 Student & Parent Handbook, on page 30, defines bullying using the broader language found in Georgia law, which includes any intentional act that has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education or otherwise substantially infringing upon the rights of a student.
The district’s message said many student conflicts begin outside the classroom, often through social media or other electronic communication, before carrying over into the school environment.
The district said it has seen an increase in concerns tied to online activity, particularly among middle and high school students, and said some students use multiple or less visible accounts, which makes monitoring more difficult. As a result, Peach County Schools is encouraging parents to stay actively involved in their child’s online presence and to communicate about digital behavior.
The district says it takes all reports seriously and works to address concerns promptly while supporting students and promoting respectful relationships. Families are encouraged to contact school officials with concerns, communicate with other parents when appropriate, and reach out to law enforcement in serious situations that happen outside of school.
The district said it has created a dedicated webpage with bullying-related resources, which can be found under the Parents tab at peachschools.org. Parents can also access the GaDOE Parent ProTech program.
Earlier this month, 41NBC reported on a case within the district that raised concerns about bullying and student well-being. Family members of 12-year-old Ava Little told 41NBC the child had been bullied, and Peach County Coroner Kerry Rooks confirmed Little took her own life.
