I had to post this first it's a letter of from the principal in October before all this happened!
My response
Dear: Monsignor Steve Ketchel, and Ted Reichenbacher,
Thank you for your response, which has highlighted a deeper issue within the Aquinas school system. The dysfunction within the system does not rest solely with the current administration but rather stems from decisions and practices at the highest levels of leadership. It is concerning that previous administrators left their positions due to similar situations where their correct decisions were overruled.
I gave you an opportunity to right the wrong that had been done, yet instead of addressing the issue, you chose to victimize and shame my son. Korbin confided in us, his parents, about his struggles because he did not feel safe or supported enough to share this with school officials. He wanted accountability and action to make the bullying stop. However, after the initial incident, neither you nor the administration acted appropriately, allowing the situation to escalate.
Following my decision to come forward, students began using Snapchat and group chats to target Korbin further, making him feel guilty about the video I found and questioning its origin. This has intensified the bullying and shifted the blame onto Korbin, who is now being targeted for actions he did not take. This is a clear continuation of the harassment he has endured. How is this behavior not considered bullying under your policies?
Additionally, your decision to criticize Korbin for having his phone “in his lunch bag,” which was clearly labeled with his name, is appalling. The other students had no right to touch his belongings under any circumstances. Even if Korbin had momentarily left his phone unattended, as many students do, this does not justify their actions. The focus should be on holding the perpetrators accountable rather than finding fault with Korbin.
I also want to address the issue of the headphones. The student in question was fully aware that the headphones belonged to Korbin. After Korbin went to take an ice bath, as many football players do, the student took Korbin’s headphones, stole them, and brought them to his house. I personally drove to the student’s house to retrieve the headphones and spoke with his parent, who was absolutely disgusted by what their son had done.
To the school’s credit, the disciplinary action taken in this instance was appropriate, as the student stole property from school premises. However, I want to highlight Mr. Poellinger sent to all students and parents regarding locker room conduct. In that letter, which I can provide, if necessary, he specifically urged parents to teach their children not to touch anything that does not belong to them. This is a basic principle we must instill in our students: if something is not yours, do not touch it.
In this situation, Korbin’s actions were not at fault. The responsibility lies entirely with the perpetrators, whose behavior was deliberate and intentional. Placing any blame on Korbin for the actions of others only further victimizes him.
To clarify, I had to take a screenshot of the student involved in the incident and ask a teacher to identify who he was, as Korbin did not know him. If this individual were a “friend” of Korbin’s, we would have known who the student was. This further disproves the suggestion that the boys involved were acting as Korbin’s friends.
Are you aware that these two boys are telling other students that Korbin allowed them to use his phone? This is entirely untrue. Korbin is not friends with them, and such false claims only add to the harassment he is experiencing.
I also want to emphasize the seriousness of this issue, especially considering that the police were involved. Any situation requiring a police report is, by definition, a significant matter. Your dismissal of its importance is unacceptable.
Your decision-making process appears to have been based on incomplete and incorrect information. You relied on accounts from other parents and ignored the full context, including the pending police report. This raises serious concerns about the thoroughness of your investigation. Furthermore, when I visited your home, you failed to use the term “malicious” in describing the incident. I also requested another officer review the investigation, as the case had not been properly closed. This demonstrates that both the school and law enforcement processes were mishandled, which we are continuing to review independently.
Your response has also shifted blame onto Korbin instead of addressing the actions of the perpetrators. Referring to their behavior as “boys being boys” minimizes the harm caused and ignores the fact that these individuals are not Korbin’s friends.
Furthermore, you violated the school’s handbook by inconsistently applying consequences. Some students were allowed to act without repercussion while others faced different treatment. The handbook is meant to ensure fair and consistent policies for all students. By ignoring it, you have undermined its authority and demonstrated bias in your actions.
Your response also included statements that I consider defamatory to Korbin’s character. By implying that Korbin bears responsibility for the actions of others, you have unfairly attributed blame to him, damaging his reputation and standing. Such statements only compound the harm caused by this incident.
Additionally, your Instagram post, (Note: this was snapchat not Instagram) in which you stated, “I find it to be impressive how many students do this in other schools to get all their kids to come to the mass,” is deeply troubling. This issue arose because you disregarded the handbook and the code of conduct, showing students that rules could be broken without consequence. This post appears to have encouraged students to rally against Korbin, a freshman football player, further escalating the situation.
Your actions also blur the boundaries between religious practices and educational responsibilities, raising concerns about the separation of church and state. Using religious events as a means to discipline or target students is both inappropriate and unethical.
Your comment about students needing to “reach out for an appointment” for mental health support highlights a lack of understanding of proper protocols. Students struggling with mental health challenges may be hesitant or unable to take this step. Teachers and staff must proactively identify and support these students, rather than placing the burden entirely on them to seek help.
I also take issue with your assertion regarding the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) reference. The handbook does not allow for retroactive rule changes or policies. All families signed the code of conduct at the start of the season, and your failure to adhere to these guidelines is unacceptable.
Lastly, I want to stress the criminal implications of this incident. Recording individuals in a locker room without their knowledge or consent is a serious offense under Wisconsin law. Potential charges could include:
• Violation of Privacy (Wis. Stat. § 942.08): Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 9 months in jail and a $10,000 fine.
• Capturing Intimate Representations (Wis. Stat. § 942.09): Class I felony punishable by up to 3.5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The fact that this incident is being downplayed is shocking and unacceptable.
In previous letters, we asked for six specific actions. While you addressed a few of them, the most important—the apology—remains unresolved. An apology is not merely a formality but an essential acknowledgment of the harm caused to Korbin and our family.
The school must take control of these issues to ensure they never happen again. Similar situations have occurred in the past, and yet another has arisen in recent weeks. This ongoing pattern highlights systemic failures to address bullying, harassment, and misconduct. Without consistent enforcement of policies, these behaviors will continue to harm students and their families.
Tom, I look forward to hearing your resolution in this matter as this is so unexceptional to all of us and our community!
Again, thank you for your response. I will continue to fight not only for my son but for all families in the school district, so they do not have to endure the pain and hardship that we have experienced. It is my hope that this effort will lead to meaningful change, ensuring a safer and more supportive environment for all students at Aquinas.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Neher
