Confirmed cases of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying in Eastern Regional High School dropped significantly from the 2011 to 2012 school year to the 2012 to 2013 school year, according to a report delivered by Superintendent Dr. Harold Melleby during the Oct. 16 board of education meeting.
With 17 confirmed HIB cases for the 2011 to 2012 school year, Melleby announced that number had dropped to zero cases for 2012 to 2013.
Other categories that dropped from the previous year included incidents of vandalism, which fell from 19 cases to seven.
The number of weapons violations cases stayed a zero. Both the number of incidents of violence rose from 17 to 19 in 2012 to 2013, and the number of substance abuse cases increased to 12 from five cases the previous year.
Board member Richard Teichman raised concern with the growing number of substance abuse cases. Melleby said that although the number has risen from the previous year, the number of cases is down from the last five years.
“We’re trying to be aggressive with this,” Melleby said.
The total number of offenders for the 2012 to 2013 school year also dropped to 54 from 68 the previous year.
In addition, the total number of victims of violence also dropped from 21 in 2011 to 2012 to one in the 2012 to 2013 school year.
“That’s one too many, but overall it’s still good,” Melleby said in reference to the drop in victims.
Looking at the number of violence, vandalism and HIB incidents bi-annually, board president Robert DeCicco raised concern with the number of suspensions for incidents of violence, vandalism, weapons or substance abuse from 19 in between the dates of Sept. 1, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2012, to 52 in between the dates of Jan. 1 to June 30.
Principal Robert Tull explained that the increased number of suspensions was not necessarily an indicator of a growing problem, but rather more of a reflection of the diligence on the behalf of the faculty.
“We’re happy the number is going up, because it means we’re catching kids,” Tull said. “It means we’re being aggressive.”
Following the meeting, Melleby also said he believed the lowered number of confirmed HIB cases directly correlated to the efforts of Eastern’s guidance department and the Anti-Bullying Coordinator William Westerby.
“I think a lot of work has been done in the school,” Melleby said.
Violence and Vandalism Awareness Week is held at Eastern from Oct. 21 to Oct. 25 and will feature public service announcements during morning messages as well as flyers and bulletins posted around the school building. In addition, Tull said two media students would be producing videos highlighting bullying and interviews with Westerby.
Just coming off of Week of Respect, Tull said the student body recently saw a presentation by Faceless Inc., a non-profit group based in Willingboro, which aims to educate students on bullying.
Making the presentation relevant to the student body Tull explained that the group spoke about many famous and current entertainers who were once bullied in high school.
“We want to make it as relatable as possible,” Tull said.
In other news:
• A resolution was approved unanimously by the board of education to recognize Adrian Kase as Scholar of the Month for October. Kase was introduced to the board by Tull, who touched on her numerous accomplishments, including a number of advanced placement courses and strides made in the sport of fencing.
• Collin Mitchell and Veronica Giles were honored with plaques presented by Melleby for their service as student representatives to the board of education.
• Director of curriculum, instruction and professional development Dr. Patricia Denholm presented the board with the annual report on the Quality Single Accountability Continuum. Required to submit every three years a Statement of Assurance under NJ QSAC to the state Department of Education for the 2013–2014 school year, Denholm explained that the district scored 100 percent in four of the five categories. She explained that the district had received a 90 percent in fiscal management. However, she explained that only an 80 percent score is needed in each category to be deemed “in compliance.” The categories in which the district scored 100 percent included instruction and program, governance, personnel and operations.
