Liberty schools focus on bullying issues

The policy will be in place by the end of the year.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

LIBERTY — Several parents, teachers and school administrators here took time out to discuss new policies on bullying and procedures put in place to address it.

Superintendent Frank Lucas said Wednesday that bullying is not a big problem in the district, but the district, like every one in the state, must implement new regulations on bullying by Dec. 31.

The school district, Lucas said, could have implemented its own rules and guidelines concerning bullying but opted to use guidelines already put in place by the Ohio Department of Education.

Using those guidelines, the district has drafted its own Anti-Bullying Procedures and Information packet to be passed out to parents.

The informational packet identifies what types of behavior is included in harassment and bullying. John Young, high school principal, said one aspect of bullying that may be new to some educators is the use of electronics to intimidate or bully.

“Cyber bullying is a problem we are going to have to face,” he said. “We can go and contact the police department within the jurisdiction where the bullying has taken place and they can discontinue the cell phone use or Internet service, but we need the parents to let us know.”

Kathy Carlile, E.J. Blott principal, said parental involvement is key to making the new policies work. She said parents living in a district as diverse as Liberty must teach their kids tolerance of others’ differences and be willing to listen when a child comes to them with an incident of bullying or intimidation.

The informational packet suggests listening and talking to a child who is being bullied, avoid becoming emotional, keep a written log of the incidents and be supportive of the child.

Ann Novotny, director of educational services, said support of the child is important.

“We encourage parents to listen and be supportive in these situations,’ she said. “We don’t want children to not share things because they think you will be upset, so we do want to be supportive.”

Reporting incidents of bullying also is included in the informational packet. School officials have prepared a form to report bullying. Once reported, an investigation is conducted to determine if an incident of actual bullying has taken place.

Should school officials determine that an act of bullying has occurred the student could face various punishments ranging from a discussion with a school official to suspension from school.

jgoodwin@vindy.com