TENNESSEE PASSES NEW BULLYING, CYBERBULLYING, & HARASSMENT LAW

Why were you invited? What are we here to do? What is today’s ultimate goal? How long will we meet today?

The 1 st goal is to create a Bullying/Harassment Prevention Team consisting of parents, students, and staff.

Tenn. Code Ann. § (a) provides, “each school district shall adopt a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying.” School districts are encouraged to develop the policy after consultation with parents, school employees, volunteers, students, administrators, and community representatives.

Determine if our current board policy is adequate to address the new law requirements. Look at the board policy (in your packet) Compare it to (13) required components But first, let us look at the state’s definitions relevant to this policy.

Is this law really necessary? According to ABC News 20/20 online, every day 160,000 kids across the country miss school because of bullying. Bullying is not just limited to physical abuse and teasing. Social sites such as Facebook, Myspace, and texting are the new battlefields for bullying. One out of three teens have been threatened over the Internet. More than one fourth of young people have experienced bullying through some form of technology. More than 50% of adolescents do not divulge cyber bullying to their parents or guardians.

A statement prohibiting harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyberbullying (HIBC). A definition of HIBC. A description of the behavior expected from each student. A statement of the consequences & appropriate remedial action for a person who commits HIBC.

A procedure for reporting an act of HIBC anonymously. A procedure for prompt investigation of a report of HIBC. A statement of how the school district shall respond after an act of HIBC. A statement of the consequences & appropriate remedial action for a person found to have committed HIBC.

A statement prohibiting reprisal or retaliation against a person who reports HIBC. A statement of consequences for someone who falsely accuses another of HIBC. How the policy will be publicized. Job titles of school officials responsible for seeing that the policy is implemented. A procedure for discouraging & reporting conduct aimed at defining a student in a sexual manner or ID conduct impugning the character of a student.

SET THE DATE & TIME. WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR MTG. #2? REVIEW THE BOARD POLICY TO BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD FOR REVIEW AND/OR APPROVAL DETERMINE SCHOOL PROCESS FOR HANDLING COMPLAINTS

THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE! OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE: ____Feb. 1 st, 10:00 am_____