Schools Tackle Legal Twists and Turns of Cyberbullying Education Week Mary Kate McNulty

As an administrator, what would you do??  2011-Hatboro Horsham School District students created an online poll that ranked the “hottest” girls in the district. Comments turned negative and aggressive regarding the girls’ appearance and sexual orientation.

Here’s what happened…  Principal contacted school board and superintendent  Worked with district’s Director of Technology  Students were told to stop poll and handed disciplinary consequences  Contacted GoDaddy.com to remove poll from internet  Principal contacted school board and superintendent  Worked with district’s Director of Technology  Students were told to stop poll and handed disciplinary consequences  Contacted GoDaddy.com to remove poll from internet

Concerns  Little advice about how to legally handle  Court case rulings not consistent

Example of Inconsistencies  J.S. v. Blue Mountain School District and Layshock ex. Rel. Layshock v. Hermitage School District  Both cases students created a profile posing as the principal  Both profiles created controversy and students were suspended  J.S. v. Blue Mountain School District and Layshock ex. Rel. Layshock v. Hermitage School District  Both cases students created a profile posing as the principal  Both profiles created controversy and students were suspended

The court said… J.S. v. Blue Mountain School District  Suspension was an acceptable consequence J.S. v. Blue Mountain School District  Suspension was an acceptable consequence Layshock ex. Rel. Layshock v. Hermitage School District  “The school district could not establish a sufficient nexus between the student’s cyber speech and a substantial disruption of the school environment,” (Davis 2011).

What to do as bullying laws go into affect around the nation?  Create detailed policies that explain expectations and consequences for students and parents  Provide in-services for students and parents  State-wide consistencies in rulings  Create detailed policies that explain expectations and consequences for students and parents  Provide in-services for students and parents  State-wide consistencies in rulings

Davis, Michelle. Schools Tackle Legal Twists and Turns of Cyberbullying. Published: February 4, Davis, Michelle. Schools Tackle Legal Twists and Turns of Cyberbullying. Published: February 4,