Board to review bullying policy tonight

Deirdre Newman

NEWPORT-MESA -- The school board will consider approving a new rule at

its meeting tonight that will fight bullying.

Discussions about school violence started earlier this year after an

incident at Corona del Mar High School, where one student choked another

student, who then lost consciousness and hit his head.

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District organized a task force made

up of parents and school and district staff to discuss concerns about

violence and intimidation on campuses.

In March, the board revised the General Student Conduct policy to

include the district’s position that violence and intimidation will not

be tolerated on any campus or at any school activity. The policy was then

readopted.

Tonight, the board will consider adding its anti-bullying rule and

regulations to that same conduct policy. If it’s approved tonight, the

rule will return in two weeks for a second vote to make it official.

The new rule and regulations illustrate the district’s expectation

that staff react immediately and report incidents that are not fully

resolved. A thorough investigation will then take place. Consequences may

include counseling, a parent conference, detention, involuntary transfer,

suspension or expulsion.

A new task force was formed in May that also included students,

administrators and a psychologist. That task force worked for the past

few months to put some teeth into the preliminary language, including

response tactics, intervention and follow-up.

FYI

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustees will also review the

implementation of the Measure A School Facilities Improvement Program at

a study session at 6 p.m. today.

* Deirdre Newman covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at o7 deirdre.newman@latimes.comf7 .