Report: 11 Bullying Incidents in Morris Plains This Year

The saw few acts of bullying and vandalism this school year, and no acts of violence, according to a report that district superintendent Dr. Ernest Palestis announced at Tuesday night's Board of Education meeting.

Palestis said there were 11 reported incidents of bullying in the 2011-12 school year, and seven of those were determined to be bullying. Of those seven incidents, five occurred off school grounds, and two took place in school.

Some of the examples of bullying that took place were on Facebook, from inappropriate texting, and during after school activities. The alleged bullies had to serve detention as punishment.

From the new Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Law, New Jersey's bullying law enacted this year, schools are required to adopt a bullying policy, and train teachers and staff about the law and how to deal with bullying. The school district is responsible for investigating allegations of bullying even when the incidents take place off school grounds.

The law also requires superintendents to do two reports of the bullying each year; one mid-year and one at the end of they year. Dr. Palestis chose to provide monthly reports instead, and on Tuesday night he gave the school year's final report.

"I think it [the number of bullying reports] reflects the values in this community," Palestis said. "One of our most important philosophies is that we wanted to make sure that bullying, and this new HIB Law were not just viewed as a 'gotcha.' So our curriculum and our teachers put a significant amount of work into educating students and proper social behavior."

The bullying incidents first get reported to the principal's office, and then an investigation takes place. The principal then works with the school's bullying coordinator.

According to the the vandalism report, there were two incidents in January, both dealing with graffiti, and another one in May in the school lobby entrance.

On Jan. 3 and Jan. 5, there was graffiti spray painted on the rear storage shed and exterior school building. On May 25, the bottom glass was shattered in the lobby entrance. These acts of vandalism cost a total of $1,420. Palestis said the district will get reimbursed.

The acts of vandalism were not done by any students or residents from the Morris Plains community, Palestis said.