School Committee Recommends Tougher Bullying Policy

The Board of Education Policy Committee reviewed a proposed new anti-bullying policy on Tuesday night.

To comply with tougher state anti-bullying regulations passed in July, school board attorneys drafted a revised policy on bullying that specifically addresses cyberbullying.

The new policy also calls for the development of a Safe School Climate Plan and appointment of district-level and school-level coordinators to investigate all reports of bullying.

Here are highlights of the proposed changes to the bullying policy:

• The definition of bullying was updated to include both physical acts and also “written, verbal or electronic communication, such as cyberbullying.”
• Cyberbullying has been more clearly defined as “any act of bullying through the use of the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, cellular mobile telephone or other mobile electronic devices or any electronic communications.”
• The old policy only addresses bullying that takes place in school or during school-related activities, including riding or waiting for the bus. The new policy includes bullying that happens outside of a school-related setting if it negatively impacts the school environment for the student being bullied.
• The new policy also specifically covers bullying carried out through the use of an electronic device owned, leased or used by the Board of Education.
• The revised policy forbids discriminating or retaliating against anyone who reports bullying.
• The school district must appoint a Safe School Climate Coordinator, and the principal of each school must act as or appoint a Safe School Climate Specialist for that school. These individuals will investigate all reports of bullying.
• School staff members are required to report instances of bullying within a day.
• The district and individual schools must come up with a Safe School Climate Plan. The district plan must be approved by the Board of Education and reported to the state by January 1, 2012.
• Anti-bullying training will be provided to all school staff every year.
• Each year, students and parents must be informed of procedures for reporting bullying.

When asked about the cost of implementing the changes, Director of Pupil Personnel Palma Vaccaro said, “I don’t believe there will be a lot of cost.”

School Superintendent Dr. Mark Benigni agreed. Aside from some legal fees for updating the policy, there shouldn’t be a lot of expense associated with implementing it, he told the committee.

“Obviously we want to create a climate and culture in our schools that discourages bullying,” he said. It will be important to educate parents on exactly what constitutes bullying, he added.

The committee recommended sending the revised policy to the full board for review and approval at a future meeting.