Jessica Smedley, the director of School Counseling, presented the semiannual report on harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) for the period of January to June 2024. The report included the implementation of a universal reporting form, form 338, which allows for anonymous reporting by families and students while requiring staff to disclose their identities. This form, which was used for the first full year, is part of an amended policy that permits preliminary determinations on reported incidents, giving administrators discretion to classify incidents as HIB or under the code of conduct. Of the 92 reported incidents in the second half of the year, 54 were confirmed as HIB while 38 were deemed unfounded or inconclusive.

Breaking down the statistics, incidents were evenly distributed across grades K through 12, a shift from previous years where middle school grades reported higher numbers. Smedley suggested that this change could be due to students adjusting to a full-day school environment post-pandemic. The most common characteristic in reported incidents was “appearance,” followed by race and ethnicity. There was a notable decline in total reported incidents compared to the previous year, which Smedley attributed to improved reporting practices and ongoing staff and student training.

A detailed review of bullying investigations for the school year from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, showed a total of 175 investigations, with 104 classified as founded and 71 as unfounded or inconclusive. This marked a significant decrease from the previous year’s 246 investigations. The introduction of the preliminary determination process accounted for some of this reduction, complicating direct year-to-year comparisons. Enhanced lessons in social-emotional learning, increased school counseling outreach, and the formation of school-based climate and culture teams were highlighted as key strategies in bullying prevention and student well-being.

The meeting revisited the outcomes of a culture and climate summit held on May 31, which included anti-bullying specialists, administrators, and students. The summit focused on school-specific trends, initiatives, and areas for improvement. Themes from the summit included the importance of inclusivity in after-school events, mental health, and social-emotional learning. Students advocated for shared experiences with staff, inclusivity in school events, and enhanced social-emotional learning across all subjects.

A recurring theme was the importance of direct reporting from students, with an emphasis on making them feel comfortable reporting their experiences. The Board discussed the thoroughness of investigations, even for preliminary determinations, and the need for cultural sensitivity education across various subjects. The issue of harassment on school buses was also addressed, with bus drivers receiving training to manage spontaneous behaviors effectively.

Public comments were invited regarding the semiannual HIB report, but no comments were received. The Board proceeded to accept the report for the period from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, as mandated by the New Jersey State Department of Education under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act.

The Administration and Facilities (ANF) Committee reported on various programming highlights from the special education department, including supports for students with autism and post-graduate programs. Updates on ongoing construction and improvements at local elementary schools were shared, with anticipated late summer occupancy for the media center at Morris Hawk and Village Elementary Schools. The Curriculum Committee discussed upcoming professional development for educators and the introduction of a non-human animal inclusive curriculum.

During the voting phase, motions were approved for administration items, curriculum, finance, and personnel matters. Noteworthy was the introduction of a candidate for the assistant principal position at Village Elementary School. The meeting also acknowledged the service of a retiring physical therapist.