C. The following sets forth possible interventions which may also be utilized to enforce the
Board’s prohibition against bullying and teen dating violence:
i. Non-disciplinary interventions
When verified acts of bullying are identified early and/or when such
verified acts of bullying do not reasonably require a disciplinary
response, students may be counseled as to the definition of bullying, its
prohibition, and their duty to avoid any conduct that could be considered
bullying. Students may also be subject to other forms of restorative
discipline or remedial actions, appropriate to the age of the students and
nature of the behavior.
If a complaint arises out of conflict between students or groups of
students, peer or other forms of mediation may be considered. Special
care, however, is warranted in referring such cases to peer mediation. A
power imbalance may make the process intimidating for the victim and
therefore inappropriate. In such cases, the victim should be given
additional support. Alternatively, peer mediation may be deemed
inappropriate to address the concern.
When an act or acts of teen dating violence are identified, the students
involved may be counseled as to the seriousness of the conduct, the
prohibition of teen dating violence, and their duty to avoid any such
conduct. Students may also be subject to other forms of restorative
discipline or remedial actions, appropriate to the age of the students and
nature of the behavior.
ii.
Disciplinary interventions
When acts of bullying are verified or teen dating violence occurs, and a
disciplinary response is warranted, students are subject to the full range
of disciplinary consequences. Anonymous complaints of bullying,
however, shall not be the basis for disciplinary action.
In-school suspension and suspension may be imposed only after
informing the accused perpetrator of the reasons for the proposed
suspension and giving him/her an opportunity to explain the situation, in
accordance with the Board’s Student Discipline policy.
Expulsion may be imposed only after a hearing before the Board of
Education, a committee of the Board or an impartial hearing officer
designated by the Board of Education in accordance with the Board’s
Student Discipline policy. This consequence shall normally be reserved
for serious incidents of bullying and teen dating violence, and/or when
past interventions have not been successful in eliminating bullying
behavior.
50