New London school board set to revise policy on bullying

New London - The Board of Education will discuss tonight an updated policy to prevent bullying that requires all school employees to report the abusive behavior.

In response to new legislation, the school district must have a bullying prevention and intervention policy in place by Jan. 1.

The proposed policy, which enhances the existing policy, also is aimed at curbing incidents of student bullying both on and off school grounds, according the board president Bill Morse.

"This policy is also giving more beef to enforcement and follow through,'' Morse said.

A final discussion and vote will take place 7 tonight at the school board meeting at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School.

Board member Margaret Curtin said she agrees with the policy but wants to expand it. Tonight, she said, she will propose that programs be set up in each school in which students will learn and discuss bullying in their classrooms. Each October, time should be set aside to discuss bullying and its consequences, she said.

According to the proposed policy, bullying behavior can include written, verbal and electronic messages, physical acts and hand gestures. The policy also covers cyberbullying via the Internet, cellphones and other interactive or digital technologies.

Each school will be required to create an anonymous reporting mechanism; parents or guardians of students will be able to file written reports of suspected bullying, and the schools must maintain records related to reports and investigations.

The district will also appoint a "safe climate specialist" who will review and investigate complaints. The school district will also conduct surveys on bullying and report those findings to the state Board of Education.

k.edgecomb@theday.com