“I Couldn’t Stay Silent”: One Mom’s Bold Move to Protect Her Daughter from a Failing School System

What would you do if your child came home day after day, anxious, hurt, and afraid—and the school wouldn’t listen?

For Jaci Unruh of Sharon Springs, Kansas, this heartbreaking scenario became all too real. A devoted mom with deep ties to her local public school—where both she and her husband once walked the halls—Jaci never expected to become one of the loudest voices advocating for change. But after watching her daughter suffer at the hands of bullies and feeling abandoned by the very system meant to protect her, Jaci made a bold choice: she pulled her child out of public school and started homeschooling.

The Hidden Harm: Bullying That Went Too Far

Jaci’s daughter, once described by teachers as kind, hardworking, and well-liked, became a target of repeated bullying. One student in particular physically and verbally harassed her—pinching, hitting, and even making inappropriate, sexually aggressive contact. Shockingly, the school did not inform Jaci until the end of the day, when any evidence of bruising could no longer be documented.

What’s worse, the boy was repeatedly sent back into the classroom with minimal consequences, while the teacher—brand new and overwhelmed—received no meaningful support. When Jaci’s daughter finally retaliated, she was labeled the problem. Despite multiple meetings, phone calls, and even outreach to the school board, no action was taken.

“I felt helpless,” Jaci said. “No one seemed willing to step in and protect my child. That’s when I knew we had to do something different.”

A Broken System and a Community in Denial

Jaci isn’t alone. Other families in Wallace County have shared similar stories. The tipping point for many was a school-wide seminar that exposed students to sexually explicit material—with less than 24 hours' notice to parents and no clear details provided. Several parents only found out afterward, outraged they hadn’t been given a real choice.

Still, despite mounting concerns, school board members remained unresponsive, and teachers who raised red flags have since left the district.

Even more troubling was the community’s reaction to parents who chose to leave. “We’re blamed for the drop in enrollment. We’re told we’re ‘stirring up trouble,’” Jaci said. “But I’m not going to leave my daughter in a place where she isn’t safe.”

Locked Out—Literally and Figuratively

Adding to the frustration was the school’s policy of restricting parent access. Despite growing up in the district—and knowing the secretaries by name—Jaci found herself locked out of the building. “It felt like a prison,” she shared. “You can’t even comfort your child or see what’s happening inside.”

This kind of institutional distance—physical and emotional—left Jaci feeling not only excluded, but powerless. And in a county with only one school and limited transportation or Christian school alternatives, most families feel trapped.

Finding Hope and Support in Homeschooling

With her back against the wall, Jaci turned to the local homeschooling community, led by parents like Nikki Chubb and Kira. Despite initial doubts, she found guidance, encouragement, and a practical roadmap for getting started. “They had a packet ready for me,” she said. “They walked me through every step.”

The result? A transformation—not just for her daughter, but for their relationship as a family.

“I know what she’s learning now. We talk. We pray. We cook together. She’s playing piano and diving into things like the Titanic because she’s curious, not because it’s on a worksheet.”

Homeschooling hasn’t erased the trauma completely, but Jaci says her daughter is now thriving—emotionally, spiritually, and academically.

Churches Turning Away, But God Providing Anyway

One of the most disheartening parts of this journey, Jaci admits, was the local church’s response. After years of opening their building to homeschoolers, the church asked the group to leave, hoping to “stay neutral” amid the growing tension with the public school.

“It was crushing,” Jaci said. “We weren’t asking them to take sides. We were just asking for a place for our kids.”

But where some doors closed, others opened. Recently, the group was able to purchase a dedicated space after two years of praying and waiting. “God didn’t forget our kids,” Jaci shared, tearing up. “He provided. And He continues to provide.”

A Message to Other Moms: You Are Not Powerless

Jaci’s message to other parents facing similar struggles is clear:

• Speak up. Even when it’s hard.

• Pray for guidance. God will lead you, just like He led us.

• Look for community. There are people ready to support you.

• Don’t be afraid of change. You are your child’s biggest advocate.

“I don’t judge anyone who chooses to stay,” she added. “But I also want people to respect that I’m doing what’s right for my family.”

Conclusion: When the System Fails, Families Rise

Jaci’s story is one of heartbreak—but also one of hope. It’s about the power of parental instinct, the courage to break from the status quo, and the beauty of a community rising to meet a need.

And perhaps most of all, it’s a reminder that when families, churches, and communities come together—even in a town of 1,000—they can build something better than what was lost.

This blog post was generated from the following episode of the WISE and Otherwise Podcast with Dalena Wallace. Find more at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wiseandotherwise