School board to consider changes to policy on bullying

At its meeting tonight, the Craven County Board of Education will consider approving changes to the school system’s bullying and harassment policy that include the creation of a district Web site where parents and students can make anonymous reports.

“All too often, by the time we find out that the students are being bullied and harassed, it is too late,” Annette Brown, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, said Tuesday during a board work session.

The system has a policy on bullying, harassment and discrimination, but changes must be implemented to reflect changes to state law. Gov. Bev Perdue signed an anti-bullying bill into law this summer.

The district’s new policy not only addresses what to do in response to a claim of bullying or harassment, but gets the “word out that this is not going to be tolerated,” Brown said.

The policy is drawn largely from recommendations from the N.C. School Boards Association, said Superintendent Larry Moser, but it adds a Web site allowing parents or students to anonymously report bullying or harassment.

Brown said school officials have not yet created the Web site or confirmed who would monitor it.

“We have not gotten that far yet,” Brown said.

Board member Frances Boomer commented generally during the meeting on the merits of making anonymous reporting available.

“A lot of kids are afraid to tell,” she said.

In other business tonight, the board is expected to approve a transfer of a piece of property at Brinson Memorial Elementary School to the Neuse River Water and Sewer District.

The 9,652-square-foot property contains a water tower and a utilities easement, and it is located behind the Brinson baseball field.

“This truly is not necessary for public school purposes,” said Brian Gatchel, the board attorney, referring to the land.

The board placed the item on the consent agenda to be voted on at today’s meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the board room of the administrative building at 3600 Trent Road.

Laura Oleniacz can be reached at 252-635-5675 or at loleniacz@freedomenc.com.