Claudette Riley | News-Leader

For the second time in less than a week, a poster created by Kickapoo High School's Gay Straight Trans Alliance was ripped off the wall.

Stephen Hall, chief communications officer for Springfield Public Schools, confirmed the second poster was destroyed Wednesday.

"It was the same location," he said. "It was a different student."

Andrew Jansen/News-Leader

The action — described as bullying by Kickapoo Principal Bill Powers — came five days after a different student ripped up a poster from a perch above the commons area and slam-dunked it into the crowd of up to 600 students.

That incident, during the later lunch Friday, was met with laughter and clapping. It also triggered a storm of posts and comments on social media, primarily Instagram.

"The circumstances were different this time in that no cheers or laughter were reported. It was less disruptive," Hall said.

The Wednesday incident was during an earlier lunch period.

Hall said a Kickapoo administrator quickly identified the student involved. "They did go ahead and apply the same discipline."

Andrew Jansen/News-Leader

According to the student handbook, discipline for a first-time bullying offense at the high school level ranges from a conference — a meeting with the student and possibly his or her parents — to an out-of-school suspension.

A "KHS Straight Pride" profile on Instagram boasts: "We don't support LGBT ideology being pushed on students. Not affiliated with KHS faculty or staff. Facts don't care about your feelings." It is not clear who created the profile.

Kickapoo students formed a GSTA in 2012 and the posters are put up annually to mark a spirit week leading to the national Day of Silence, during which students take a daylong vow of silence to raise awareness about the bullying and harassment experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning students.

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Members of the Kickapoo GSTA were expected to visit Jefferson City on Wednesday — along with sponsor Jess Loudis, an art teacher — to meet with lawmakers regarding the treatment of LGBTQ individuals, including students.

Karis Agnew, field director for PROMO, a Missouri LGBTQ advocacy organization, said incidents of bullying and intimidation are too common in schools.

"It highlights to the people who make decisions about protecting, not only just LGBT Missourians but also youth specifically," Agrew told the News-Leader this week. "It sends a message to them about why they need protections because things like this still happen. They forget."

Loudis said the Friday incident was more blatant than usual. "There have been ignorant comments and murmurs and things like that, but we’ve never had someone act out against us."

Powers, the principal, delivered a message over the intercom before dismissal Friday. He also emailed staff and students Sunday.

File photo

Following the midday incident Wednesday, he sent an update: "Unfortunately, the recent behavior of some students has demonstrated disrespect and intolerance for others."

Powers also asked for help: "As parents, I ask that you help reinforce this message with our students. Please remind your children to be civil, kind and respectful to everyone. Also, reassure them that Kickapoo is a safe school where adults care about them and are here to support them."

In the message, he also reiterated his expectations: "I have communicated to everyone in our school that disrespect of any student in our school will not be tolerated. The actions of these students do not reflect who we are at Kickapoo."

Powers met Monday afternoon with the GSTA and plans to meet with the club Thursday morning before school.