Board: What Happens if Bullying Cannot Be Reported Same Day?

With questions about same-day reporting of acts of bullying, the board of education approved the introduction of a policy June 26 so that the district can begin training its teachers and staff in best practices.

According to board of education vice president Patrick Breslin, the state recently passed an aggressive law against bullying, as well as guidelines that didn’t fully cover the new law. But, he said, the district needs to pass the best hopes and practices as outlined by the School Board Association.

But board member Jill Gladstone expressed concern that, based on the wording of the policy, some acts of bullying might go unreported.

“It says that all acts of bullying have to be reported on the same day, and I think we want to encourage that,” she said. “But if they don’t come forward on that day, they might think that if it’s late, it won’t be considered an official complaint.”

“It seems like it’s so rigid,” she added.

Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder said this statement refers to teachers reporting what they have been told by their students—they should be reporting it to the administration right away, and that is what the state law says.

Board member Cindy Cullen recommended that the policy be changed to advice that reporting happen within 24 hours in case an act of bullying happens during an after-school activity or evening program, when the principal or other member of the administration might not be available.

It’s true that the administration would prefer for acts of bullying to be reported right away, said board of education president Evan Lerner, but maybe they should investigate the policy to determine the best wording.

Despite the question, Schilder said he would prefer not to hold off on introducing the policy because he needs to begin training teachers and staff right away with regard to harassment and bullying in the district.

With a concern about wiggle room, board member Lynne Hurley said she would almost rather approve it as it.

“Legalities aside, I hate to put in any wiggle room because we all want acts of bullying reported immediately,” she said.

Still, Cullen said she would like to see guidelines for teachers if administration is not available when an act of bullying is reported.

“We’re training our staff that this is what the policy is, so we should be giving them guidance as to practices based on this policy,” she said. “So if the principal is not available, do they have cell phone numbers to call him and leave a message, or do they write something to him?”

“What is the practicality to ensure that the principal gets the message?” she added.

Gladstone said she was concerned about whether teachers will be reprimanded for not reporting an act of bullying if they are unable to reach administration right away.

Board member Arvind Mathur recommended that the board introduce the policy and send it back to the policy committee for continue revisions.

“The wording is not perfect, we can all agree the wording is not perfect,” Schilder said. “But if we don’t say same day, do teachers get in trouble because they didn’t report it right away?”