Bemidji School Board: Board to look at anti-bullying program

BEMIDJI - As a follow-up to the Governor's Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying meeting held in April in Bemidji, the Bemidji School District's Board of Education will review the district's code of conduct and current anti-bullying actions.

The board will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Bemidji High School's Media Center.

According to a memo written by Assistant Superintendent Tricia Denzer, the Code of Conduct Committee has proposed to change Section 1.3 under the "Consequences for Misbehavior Based upon Student Code of Behavior."

If passed, the policy would be changed to read, "This policy applies to all students, including participants and those in attendance, in all district activities," from the previous phrase, "This policy applies to all students in all district activities."

Superintendent James Hess said the change was made to make the policy clearer.

"The change casts a wider web for student conduct to be covered by," Hess said.

Each year, the committee meets to review the previous year's policy to make any changes based on recommendations or changes in state law, Hess said.

Additionally, a list of current anti-bullying actions in the district will be presented to the school board. The list centers around anti-bullying programs within the district that help students stay focused, stay positive and understand the consequences of their conduct, Hess said.

"After the Governor's Task Force held a regional meeting here, we thought this would be a good follow-up to explain to the board what we're doing to prevent bullying in the district," Hess said.

Other items of interest on the agenda include:

- Staffing of positions and potential reductions and additions in programs and positions

- Spring 2012 Measures of Academic Progress results.