Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights: Connecting the Dots One Year Out

Cynthia J. Jahn, Esq. Leisa-Anne Smith, Esq. Philip E. Stern, Esq.

Surveys: Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights

Presented by Cynthia J. Jahn, Esq. General Counsel, NJSBA October 23, 2012

Amendments to Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights

(A-2709/S-1789)

Signed by Governor: March 26

Supported by administration

Creates a new statute

January 27 Council on Mandates decision will not apply to new statute

Amendments to Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights

$1 million for Bullying Prevention Fund

For programs, approaches, or personnel.
May apply only after exploring bullying prevention programs and approaches that are available at no cost.
For example, professional development provided by NJDOE and other organizations. Does DOE have capacity to provide free training?

Amendments to Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights

Seven-member Anti-Bullying Task Force

In operation until 2015
Provide guidance on available resources

Examine the implementation of the act

Draft model regulations for NJDOE Issue annual reports

Amendments to Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights

Seven-member Anti-Bullying Task Force

Senate President and Assembly Speaker (3); Governor (4)

Background in, or special knowledge of the legal, policy, educational, social, or psychological aspects of bullying in the public schools

NJSBA/NJASA/NJASBO Surveys
Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights: Cost (Sept. Jan.)
Survey of School Business Administrators 35.9% (206 out of 573) responded

Has the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights created additional, unanticipated costs for your school district?

Yes 88% No 12%

NJSBA/NJASA/NJASBO Surveys $2.2 million total cost among 206 respondents

Professional development, $451,292 (avg. $3,959) Materials and software, $444,319 (avg. $4,534) Programs and initiatives, $223,029 (avg. $3,431) Personnel, $1,084,065 (avg. $25,211)

NJSBA/NJASA/NJASBO Surveys
Personnel costs (most frequently cited): 39% Increased compensation for existing staff member designated as Anti-Bullying Coordinator 32% Increased compensation for Anti-Bullying Specialists 20% Increased compensation for other personnel who took on coordinators or specialists previous duties 15% Hired new staff member as coordinator.

NJSBA/NJASA/NJASBO Surveys
Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights: Staffing/Programs
Survey of Superintendents

36.8% (211 out of 573) responded

How should the Legislature respond to the Council on Local Mandates ruling?

81.5% Funding and/or amend requirements

10.2% Let the law expire

NJSBA/NJASA/NJASBO Surveys

HIB incidents investigated since Sept.- Feb. 2012:

Single digits to more than 200

Staff hours spent monthly to meet the laws requirements:

198 to 206 per district Range 2 hours (elementary district in Warren) to 400 hours (K-12 district in Burlington)

NJSBA/NJASA/NJASBO Surveys
Has the law promoted civility and discouraged HIB?

41%

29.8%

Yes No Not certain

29.3%

Not certain:
Effective programs already in place, 60.4% Raised awareness in a positive way, 21.8% Unnecessary administrative requirements, 17.8%

NJSBA/NJASA/NJASBO Surveys
Areas reduced or eliminated:
Anti-tobacco, Drug Awareness Counseling 61% Interaction with students, parents, community 48.4% Instruction 26.9% Curriculum Development 26.4% Long-Range Planning 24.7% Career and College Counseling 22% Other areas 25.3% (examples: group counseling, pre-crisis intervention, basic skills instruction, social skills for special education, other counseling areas) No reductions 16.5%

NJSBA/NJASA/NJASBO Surveys
Respondents recommended changes in law:
Additional funding Change definition of HIB/eliminate single incident Address age-appropriate application Less-rigid timelines for investigation/reporting