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AGENDA DISTRICT OF ROXBURY TOWNSHIP

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION August 15, 2011

6:30 PM – EXECUTIVE SESSION 7:30 PM – PUBLIC SESSION

Roxbury High School 1 Bryant Drive, Succasunna, NJ 07876

SPEAKER REQUEST AT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS Anyone wishing to speak about agenda or non-agenda items at a meeting of the Roxbury Township Board of Education must follow these procedures. Located on the front table will be forms entitled, Speaker Request Form. Please fill one out indicating your name and address and the agenda item or topic you wish to discuss. After completing the form, return it to the Assistant Business Administrator. Thank you for your cooperation.

A. EXECUTIVE SESSION

The board members will retire into Executive Session in the Media Center at Roxbury High School to discuss personnel, student matters, Food Service Program, appointment of an Interim Superintendent, Business Administrator search, Director of Personnel search, and matters covered by attorney client privilege. Action may be taken when the Board returns to Public Session.

□ Recess □ Reconvene – The meeting will be reconvened in Public Session in the Auditorium. B. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER C. PUBLIC SESSION The Roxbury Township Board of Education is meeting in Special Session for discussion on business

before the Board tonight. The New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law was enacted to insure the public’s right to have advance

notice of and to attend meetings of public bodies at which business affecting their interest is discussed or acted upon. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Board has caused written notice of this meeting and copies of its agenda to be sent to:

Roxbury Register - Newspaper Daily Record - Newspaper Municipal Clerk Roxbury Public Library Roxbury Web Site - http://www.roxbury.org/boe/minutes/meetings.html The notice of tonight’s meeting and a copy of tonight’s agenda have been posted in the Board’s

Business office. D. ROLL CALL E. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE F. CORRESPONDENCE

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G. PRESENTATIONS None H. STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE’S COMMENTS I. BOARD PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS J. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT K. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT L. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION M. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Action Items N. ACTION ITEMS 1. Finance *Approval of Travel Requests Resolution No. 071-12 *Acceptance of Grant Resolution No. 072-12 *Acceptance of Grant Resolution No. 073-12 2. Education *Approval of Out-of-District Placements/Services – 2011/2012 Resolution No. 074-12 *Approval of Second Reading – Policy 2431.4 – Prevention and Treatment of Sports-Related Concussions and Head Injuries Resolution No. 075-12 *Approval of Second Reading – Regulation R 2431.4 – Prevention and Treatment of Sports-Related Concussions and Head Injuries Resolution No. 076-12 *Approval of Second Reading – Policy 5512 – Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Resolution No. 077-12 *Approval of Second Reading – Regulation R 5512 – Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying Investigation Procedure Resolution No. 078-12 3. Personnel *Resignation – Coach – RHS Resolution No. 079-12 *Leave of Absence – Professional Staff - RHS Resolution No. 080-12 *Appointment – Professional Staff - RHS Resolution No. 081-12 *Appointment – Professional Staff – RHS Resolution No. 082-12 *Appointment – Professional Staff – RHS Resolution No. 083-12 *Appointment – Transportation Staff Resolution No. 084-12 *Appointment – Buildings and Grounds Staff Resolution No. 085-12 *Appointment – Food Service Staff Resolution No. 086-12 *Appointment – Coaches – RHS Resolution No. 087-12 *Approval – Summer Employment for Mandated Special Education – RHS Resolution No. 088-12 *Appointment – Professional Staff Resolution No. 089-12 *Appointment – Professional Staff Resolution No. 090-12 *Appointment – Professional Staff Resolution No. 091-12 *Appointment – Professional Staff Resolution No. 092-12 *Mt. Arlington Representative Votes

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*Appointment – Professional Staff Resolution No. 093-12 *Appointment – Professional Staff Resolution No. 094-12 *Appointment – Secretarial Staff Resolution No. 095-12 5. Executive Session *Approval of Executive Session Resolution No. 096-12 O. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (There is a three minute time limit, per Board Policy) P. EXECUTIVE SESSION – (IF NECESSARY) Q. PUBLIC SESSION – (IF NECESSARY) R. ADJOURNMENT *Mt. Arlington Representative Votes

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ACTION ITEMS Finance RESOLUTION NO. 071-12 Subject: Approval of Travel Requests RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, the Roxbury Township Board of Education approves unavoidable travel and costs as related in this resolution which are educationally necessary and fiscally prudent and are related to and within the scope of the employee’s current responsibilities and promotes the delivery of instruction or furthers the efficient operation of the school district. The reimbursements listed in this resolution are in compliance with state travel reimbursement guidelines as established by the Department of the Treasury and Board of Education policy in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:23B-1.1 et. seq.

First Name Last Name Conference/Seminar Title Place Date of Trip Total Estimated

Expenses

a) Patricia Rafferty

Implementing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Teaching Verbal Behavior to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Delays

4 Newton, NJ August 22, 23, 24, 2011 $225.00 Registration See Note

b) Kara Tillyer



c) Lori Baker



d) Diane Hunter



e) Jeannette Shannon



f) Meredith Spitzer



g) Kristin Bonnefond



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First Name Last Name Conference/Seminar Title Place Date of Trip Total Estimated

Expenses

h) Sue Lang



Notes: See Note: Does not include mileage and sustenance as they are contractual. 1-State/federal policy requirements, 2-State curricular requirements, 3-State initiatives, 4-Individual job requirements Substitute coverage is indicated by “S” followed by the number of days for which a substitute is needed.

RESOLUTION NO. 072-12 Subject: Acceptance of Grant RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, the Roxbury Township Board of Education accepts a grant, secured by Ms. Patricia Hovey, from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism of two new HP laptops valued at $2,500. RESOLUTION NO. 073-12 Subject: Acceptance of Grant RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, the Roxbury Township Board of Education accepts a grant, secured by Dr. James Heinegg, from the CVS Caremark Foundation of $1,200 to be used for our Roxbury High School transition program. Education RESOLUTION NO. 074-12 Subject: Approval of Out-of-District Placements/Services – 2011/2012 RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, the Roxbury Township Board of Education approves the 2011/2012 Out-of-District Placements/Services listed below.

File Number School or Provider Total Cost Dates PGC002 P.G. Chambers School $64,713.60 07/11/11-09/30/12

HLC017 Hunterdon Learning Center $40,248.00 09/06/11-06/30/12

RESOLUTION NO. 075-12 Subject: Approval of Second Reading - Policy 2431.4 - Prevention and Treatment of Sports-

Related Concussions and Head Injuries RESOLVED, that the Roxbury Township Board of Education approves the attached Policy 2431.4 Prevention and Treatment of Sports-Related Concussions and Head Injuries for second reading. (Exhibit 1)

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RESOLUTION NO. 076-12 Subject: Approval of Second Reading - Regulation R 2431.4 - Prevention and Treatment of

Sports-Related Concussions and Head Injuries RESOLVED, that the Roxbury Township Board of Education approves the attached Regulation R 2431.4 Prevention and Treatment of Sports-Related Concussions and Head Injuries for second reading. (Exhibit 2) RESOLUTION NO. 077-12 Subject: Approval of Second Reading - Policy 5512 - Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying RESOLVED, that the Roxbury Township Board of Education approves the attached Policy 5512 Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying for second reading. (Exhibit 3) RESOLUTION NO. 078-12 Subject: Approval of Second Reading - Regulation R 5512 - Harassment, Intimidation, or

Bullying Investigation Procedure RESOLVED, that the Roxbury Township Board of Education approves the attached Regulation R 5512 Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying Investigation Procedure for second reading. (Exhibit 4) Personnel RESOLUTION NO. 079-12 Subject: Resignation – Coach – RHS RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, the resignation for personal reasons of Ms. Kristina Beyel, Assistant Field Hockey Coach and Assistant Girls’ Lacrosse Coach, be accepted effective June 30, 2011. RESOLUTION NO. 080-12 Subject: Leave of Absence – Professional Staff - RHS RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Shannon Foster (Hefferon), LLD Teacher at Roxbury High School, be granted a disability/child care leave of absence effective October 11, 2011 using available sick days until released by her physician and, thereafter, an unpaid leave of absence under the State and Federal Family Leave Act through June 14, 2012.

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RESOLUTION NO. 081-12 Subject: Appointment – Professional Staff – RHS RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Carissa DeMarco be appointed to the position of Guidance Counselor at Roxbury High School effective September 1, 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year. Step and salary to be determined pending completion of negotiations.

Degree: MA, College of Saint Elizabeth, 2010 BA, University of Delaware, 2007

Certification: School Counselor Salary: Step 1 of the 2010/2011 MA Guide, $50,907

A background check as required by State law has been successfully completed. RESOLUTION NO. 082-12 Subject: Appointment – Professional Staff – RHS RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Christina Schroeder be appointed to the position of Guidance Counselor at Roxbury High School effective September 1, 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year. Ms. Schroeder is replacing Ms. Linda Rosenblatt who retired. Step and salary to be determined pending completion of negotiations.

Degree: MA, Centenary College, 2011 BA, Montclair State University, 2009

Certification: School Counselor (pending) Salary: Step 1 of the 2010/2011 MA Guide, $50,907

A background check as required by State law has been successfully completed. RESOLUTION NO. 083-12 Subject: Appointment – Professional Staff – RHS RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Kelly Schulz be appointed to the position of Guidance Counselor at Roxbury High School effective September 1, 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year. Ms. Schultz is replacing Mr. Jonathan Roman who resigned. Step and salary to be determined pending completion of negotiations.

Degree: MA, Montclair State University, 2011 BA, Centenary College, 2009

Certification: School Counselor (pending) Salary: Step 1 of the 2010/2011 MA Guide, $50,907

A background check as required by State law has been successfully completed.

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RESOLUTION NO. 084-12 Subject: Appointment – Transportation Staff RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Cynthia Gasiorowski be appointed to the position of Bus Driver effective September 1, 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year. She is replacing Ms. Maureen Frischmann who retired. Salary: $19.50/Hour, 25 Hours/Week (not to exceed 40 hours/Week) pending completion of

negotiations A background search as required by State law has been successfully completed. RESOLUTION NO. 085-12 Subject: Appointment – Buildings and Grounds Staff RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. So Lee be appointed as a substitute Custodian effective August 16, 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year. Salary: $12.00/Hour on an as-needed basis A background search as required by State law has been successfully completed. RESOLUTION NO. 086-12 Subject: Appointment – Food Service Staff RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Doris Sisto be appointed as a substitute Cafeteria Worker effective September 1, 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year. Salary: $10.65/Hour on an as-needed basis A background search as required by State law has been successfully completed. RESOLUTION NO. 087-12 Subject: Appointment – Coaches – RHS RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, the following personnel be appointed as Coaches at Roxbury High School for the 2011/2012 school year.

Name Position 2010/2011

Step 2010/2011

Salary

Field Hockey

Rich, Holly Assistant Coach 3 $5,147

Outdoor Track – Girls’

Kaphan, Heather Assistant Coach 3 4,879

Lacrosse – Girls’

Rich, Holly Assistant Coach 3 5,147

1- Includes longevity

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RESOLUTION NO. 088-12 Subject: Approval – Summer Employment for Mandated Special Education - RHS RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, the staff listed below at Roxbury High School be approved during the summer of 2011 to conduct mandated meetings with parents and staff to determine evaluative status, IEP’s, and other appropriate activities required under the changes in the New Jersey law governing Special Education.

Name Location 10/11 Hourly Rate*

Katerina Peck Jefferson School $44.02

*Salary to be determined pending completion of negotiations

RESOLUTION NO. 089-12 Subject: Appointment – Professional Staff RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Kelly Lauter be appointed to the position of leave replacement Health/Physical Education Teacher at the Eisenhower Middle School effective September 1, 2011 through January 30, 2012, and thereafter on an as-needed basis for the 2011/2012 school year. Ms. Lauter is replacing Ms. Jennifer Earley who is on an unpaid disability/child care leave of absence. Step and salary to be determined pending completion of negotiations.

Degree: BA, William Paterson University, 2010 Certification: Teacher of Health/Physical Education (Provisional) Salary: Step 1 of the 2010/2011 BA Guide, $46,247 (prorated)

A background check as required by State law has been successfully completed. RESOLUTION NO. 090-12 Subject: Appointment – Professional Staff RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Jacqueline Sheplak-Lewis be appointed to the position of Basic Skills Instructor at the Lincoln/Roosevelt School effective September 1, 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year. Ms. Sheplak-Lewis is replacing Ms. Eileen Lockburner who is being transferred to a Fifth Grade teaching position vacated by Ms. Maureen Giordano who resigned. Step and salary to be determined pending completion of negotiations.

Degree: MA, East Stroudsburg University, 1996 BA, East Stroudsburg University, 1991

Certification: Elementary School Teacher Experience: 2009-2010: Language Arts Teacher, Sacred Heart School,

Rockaway, NJ 2008-2009: Language Arts Teacher, St. Mary’s School, Wharton, NJ 1994-1999: Third Grade Teacher, Jefferson Township Schools, Lake Hopatcong, NJ

Salary: Step 4-5 of the 2010/2011 MA Guide, $51,907 A background check as required by State law has been successfully completed.

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RESOLUTION NO. 091-12 Subject: Appointment – Professional Staff RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Jamie Osbun be appointed to the position of Sixth Grade ELA Teacher at the Lincoln/Roosevelt School effective September 1, 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year. Ms. Osbun is replacing Ms. Clorinda Mason who resigned. Step and salary to be determined pending completion of negotiations.

Degree: BS, East Stroudsburg, 2003 Certification: Elementary School Teacher

Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Language Arts/Literacy Specialization in Grades 5-8

Experience: 2008-2010: Fifth Grade Teacher, Lincoln/Roosevelt School, Succasunna, NJ 2006-2008: Fifth Grade Teacher, Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk, VA 2003-2006: Middle School Science Teacher, Gateway Charter School, Jersey City, NJ

Salary: Step 2-3 of the 2010/2011 BA Guide, $46,747 A background check as required by State law has been successfully completed. RESOLUTION NO. 092-12 Subject: Appointment – Professional Staff RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Christine Luettchau be appointed to the position of leave replacement Fourth Grade Teacher at the Nixon School effective September 1, 2011 through December 23, 2011, and thereafter on an as-needed basis for the 2011/2012 school year. Ms. Luettchau is replacing Ms. Megan McCarthy who will be on a disability/child care leave of absence. Step and salary to be determined pending completion of negotiations.

Degree: BA, The College of New Jersey, 2008 Certification: Elementary School Teacher in Grades K-5

Teacher of Preschool through Grade 3 Salary: Step 1 of the 2010/2011 BA Guide, $46,247 (prorated)

A background check as required by State law has been successfully completed. RESOLUTION NO. 093-12 Subject: Appointment – Professional Staff RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Jennifer Asman be appointed to the position of Third Grade Teacher at the Franklin School effective September 1, 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year. This is a new position due to increased enrollment. Step and salary to be determined pending completion of negotiations.

Degree: BA, East Stroudsburg University, 2009 Certification: Teacher of Preschool through Grade 3 (CEAS) Salary: Step 1 of the 2010/2011 BA Guide, $46,247

A background check as required by State law has been successfully completed.

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RESOLUTION NO. 094-12 Subject: Appointment – Professional Staff RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Alexis Tardive be appointed to the position of First Grade Teacher at the Franklin School effective September 1, 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year. Ms. Tardive is replacing Ms. Jennifer Thompson who was transferred to another position. Step and salary to be determined pending completion of negotiations.

Degree: BS, University of Tampa, 2003 Certification: Elementary School Teacher in Grades K-5 Experience: 2010-2011: Leave Replacement First Grade Teacher, Franklin

School, Succasunna, NJ 2009-2010: Third Grade Teacher, Sparta School District, Sparta, NJ 2004-2009: Second Grade Teacher, School District of Hillsborough County, Tampa, FL

Salary: Step 8 of the 2010/2011 BA Guide, $50,227 A background check as required by State law has been successfully completed. RESOLUTION NO. 095-12 Subject: Appointment – Secretarial Staff RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Superintendent’s recommendation, Ms. Naoma Martin be appointed to the position of Secretary-Health Benefits at the Central Office effective August 22, 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year. Ms. Martin will be replacing Ms. Dawn Doland who was transferred to another position.

Salary: Step 1 of the 2010/2011 Secretarial Guide, Grade IV - $38,646 pro-rated (pending

completion of negotiations) A background search as required by State law has been successfully completed. Executive Session RESOLUTION NO. 096-12 Subject: Approval of Executive Session WHEREAS, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, also known as the Sunshine Law, authorizes a public body to meet in Executive Session under certain limited circumstances; and WHEREAS, said law requires the Board of Education to adopt a resolution at a public meeting before it can meet in such an Executive Session; and WHEREAS, the Board of Education is scheduled to hold a Regular Meeting on August 22, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Roxbury High School Auditorium; and WHEREAS, the Board of Education intends to discuss matters in Executive Session at this meeting;

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NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Roxbury Township Board of Education expects to discuss personnel, student matters, appointment of an Interim Superintendent, Business Administrator search, Director of Personnel search, and matters covered by attorney client privilege during the aforementioned Executive Session; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the public portion of the aforementioned Roxbury Township Board of Education meeting will commence at 7:30 p.m.

E X H I B I T 1

Second Reading – 8/15/11 Board Meeting PROGRAM2431.4/page 1 of 3

Prevention and Treatment of Sports-RelatedConcussions and Head Injuries

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2431.4 PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SPORTS-RELATEDCONCUSSIONS AND HEAD INJURIES

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a director indirect blow to the head or body. In order to ensure thesafety of pupils that participate in interscholastic athletics,it is imperative that student-athletes, coaches, and parents areeducated about the nature and treatment of sports-relatedconcussions and other head injuries. Allowing a student-athleteto return to play before recovering from a concussion increasesthe chance of a more serious brain injury.

Every school district that participates in interscholasticathletics is required to adopt a policy concerning theprevention and treatment of sports-related concussions and otherhead injuries among student-athletes in accordance with theprovisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.1 et seq. For the purpose ofthis Policy, “interscholastic athletics” shall be Kindergartenthrough twelfth grade school-sponsored athletic programs whereteams or individuals compete against teams or individuals fromother schools or school districts.

The school district will adopt an Interscholastic AthleticHead Injury Training Program to be completed by the team orschool physician, licensed athletic trainer(s) involved in theinterscholastic athletic program, all staff members that coachan interscholastic sport, designated school nurses, and otherappropriate school district personnel as designated by theSuperintendent. This Training Program shall be in accordancewith guidance provided by the New Jersey Department of Educationand the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.2.

The Principal or designee shall distribute the New JerseyDepartment of Education Concussion and Head Injury Fact Sheetand Parent/Guardian Acknowledgement Form to every student-athlete who participates in interscholastic sports. ThePrincipal or designee shall obtain a signed acknowledgement ofthe receipt of the Fact Sheet by the student-athlete’s parentand keep on file for future reference.

Prevention of a sports-related concussion and head injuriesis an important component of the school district’s program. Theschool district may require pre-season baseline testing of all



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student-athletes before the student-athlete begins participationin an interscholastic athletic program.

Any student-athlete who exhibits the signs or symptoms of asports-related concussion or other head injury during practiceor competition shall be immediately removed from play and maynot return to play that day. Emergency medical assistance shallbe contacted when symptoms get worse, loss of consciousness,direct neck pain associated with the injury, or any other signthe supervising school staff member determines emergency medicalattention is needed. If available when the student-athlete isexhibiting signs or symptoms, the student-athlete will beevaluated by the school or team physician. The Principal ordesignee shall contact the student-athlete’s parent and informthe parent of the suspected sports-related concussion or otherhead injury.

Possible signs of a concussion can be observed by anyschool staff member or the school or team physician. Anypossible symptoms of a concussion can be reported by thestudent-athlete to: coaches; licensed athletic trainer; schoolor team physician; school nurse; and/or parent. The Principalor designee shall provide the student-athlete with Board ofEducation approved suggestions for management/medical checklistto provide to their parent and physician or other licensedhealthcare professional trained in the evaluation and managementof sports-related concussions and other head injuries.

A student-athlete who participates in interscholasticathletics and who sustains or is suspected of sustaining aconcussion or other head injury shall be required to have amedical examination conducted by their physician or licensedhealth care provider. The student-athlete’s physician orlicensed health care provider shall be trained in the evaluationand management of concussion to determine the presence orabsence of a sports-related concussion or head injury.

The student-athlete’s physician or licensed health careprovider must provide to the school district a written medicalrelease/clearance for the student-athlete indicating when thestudent-athlete is able to return to the activity. The medicalrelease/clearance must indicate the student-athlete isasymptomatic at rest and either may return to theinterscholastic athletic activity because the injury was not a



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concussion or other head injury or may begin the district’sgraduated return to competition and practice protocol outlinedin Regulation 2431.4. A medical release/clearance not incompliance with this Policy will not be accepted. The medicalrelease/clearance must be reviewed and approved by the school,team physician or athletic trainer.

The school district shall provide a copy of this Policy andRegulation 2431.4 to all youth sports team organizations thatoperate on school grounds. In accordance with the provisions ofN.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.5, the school district shall not be liablefor the injury or death of a person due to the action orinaction of persons employed by, or under contract with, a youthsports team organization that operates on school grounds, if theyouth sports team organization provides the school districtproof of an insurance policy in the amount of not less than$50,000 per person, per occurrence insuring the youth sportsteam organization against liability for any bodily injurysuffered by a person and a statement of compliance with theschool district’s Policy and Regulation 2431.4 - Prevention andTreatment of Sports-Related Concussions and Head Injuries.

For the purposes of this Policy a “youth sports teamorganization” means one or more sports teams organized pursuantto a nonprofit or similar charter or which are member teams in aleague organized by or affiliated with a county or municipalrecreation department.

This Policy and Regulation shall be reviewed and approvedby the school physician and shall be reviewed annually, andupdated as necessary, to ensure it reflects the most currentinformation available on the prevention, risk, and treatment ofsports-related concussion and other head injuries.

N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.1; 18A:40-41.2; 18A:40-41.3; 18A:40-41.4;18A:40-41.5

Adopted: August 15, 2011

E X H I B I T 2

Second Reading – 8/15/11 Board Meeting PROGRAMR 2431.4/page 1 of 8


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R 2431.4 PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SPORTS-RELATEDCONCUSSIONS AND HEAD INJURIES

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by adirect or indirect blow to the head or body. Allowing astudent-athlete to return to play before recovering from aconcussion increases the chance of a more serious brain injurythat can result in severe disability and/or death. Thefollowing procedures shall be followed to implement N.J.S.A.18A:40-41.1 et seq. and Policy 2431.4.

A. Interscholastic Athletic Head Injury Training Program

1. The school district will adopt an InterscholasticAthletic Head Injury Training Program to be completedby the school or team physician, licensed athletictrainer(s) involved in the interscholastic athleticprogram, all staff members that coach aninterscholastic sport, designated school nurses, andother appropriate school district personnel asdesignated by the Superintendent.

2. This Training Program shall be in accordance with theguidance provided by the New Jersey Department ofEducation and the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.1 et seq.

B. Prevention

1. The school district may require pre-season baselinetesting of all student-athletes before the student-athlete begins participation in an interscholasticathletic program or activity. The baseline testingprogram shall be reviewed and approved by the schoolor team physician trained in the evaluation andmanagement of sports-related concussions and otherhead injuries.

2. The Principal or designee will review educationalinformation for student-athletes on prevention ofconcussions.



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3. All school staff members, student-athletes, andparents of student-athletes shall be informed throughthe distribution of the New Jersey Department ofEducation Concussion and Head Injury Fact Sheet andParent/Guardian Acknowledgement Form and othercommunications from the Principal and coaches on theimportance of early identification and treatment ofconcussions to improve recovery.

C. Signs or Symptoms of Concussion or Other Head Injury

1. Possible signs of concussions can be observed bycoaches, licensed athletic trainer, school or teamphysician, school nurse, or other school staffmembers. Possible signs of a concussion may be, butare not limited to, the student-athlete:

a. Appears dazed, stunned, or disoriented;

b. Forgets plays, or demonstrates short-term memorydifficulty;

c. Exhibits difficulties with balance orcoordination;

d. Answers questions slowly or inaccurately; and/or

e. Loses consciousness.

2. Possible symptoms of concussion shall be reported bythe student-athlete to coaches, licensed athletictrainer, school or team physician, school nurse,and/or parent. Possible symptoms of a concussionare, but not limited to:

a. Headache;

b. Nausea/vomiting;

c. Balance problems or dizziness;

d. Double vision or changes in vision;

e. Sensitivity to light or sound/noise;



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f. Feeling sluggish or foggy;

g. Difficulty with concentration and short-termmemory;

h. Sleep disturbance; or

i. Irritability.

D. Emergency Medical Attention for Concussion or Other HeadInjury

1. Any student-athlete who is exhibiting the signs orsymptoms of a sports-related concussion duringpractice or competition shall immediately be removedfrom play and activities and may not return to thepractice or competition that day.

2. The school staff member supervising the student-athlete when the student-athlete is exhibiting signsor symptoms of a sports-related concussion or otherhead injury shall immediately contact emergencymedical assistance when symptoms get worse, loss ofconsciousness, direct neck pain associated with theinjury, or any other sign the supervising schoolstaff member determines emergency medical attentionis needed.

a. In the event the school or team physician isavailable when the student-athlete is exhibitingsigns or symptoms of a sports-related concussionor other head injury, the physician may make thedetermination to call emergency medicalassistance.

3. The school staff member supervising the student-athlete when the student-athlete is exhibiting signsor symptoms of a sports-related concussion or otherhead injury during practice or competition shallreport the occurrence to the Principal or designee.The Principal or designee shall contact the student-athlete's parent and inform the parent of thesuspected sports-related concussion or other headinjury.



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E. Sustained Concussion or Other Head Injury

1. A student-athlete who participates in interscholasticathletics and who sustains or is suspected ofsustaining a concussion or other head injury shallimmediately be removed from practice or competitionand shall be required to have a medical examinationconducted by their physician or licensed health careprovider. The student-athlete's physician orlicensed health care provider shall be trained in theevaluation and management of concussion to determinethe presence or absence of a sports-relatedconcussion or head injury.

2. The student-athlete suspected of sustaining aconcussion shall be provided a copy of Board ofEducation Policy and Regulation 2431.4 and a copy ofBoard of Education approved suggestions formanagement/medical checklist to provide to theirparent and their physician or licensed health careprofessional.

3. The student-athlete's physician must provide to theschool district, upon the completion of a medicalexamination, a written medical release/clearance whenthe student-athlete is able return to the activity.The release/clearance must indicate:

a. The medical examination determined the injurywas not a concussion or other head injury, thestudent-athlete is asymptomatic at rest, and thestudent-athlete may return to theinterscholastic athletic activity; or

b. The medical examination determined the injurywas a concussion or other head injury, thestudent-athlete is asymptomatic at rest, and canbegin the graduated return to competition andpractice protocol outlined in F. below.

A medical release/clearance not in compliance withthis requirement will not be accepted. The student-athlete may not return to the activity or begin thegraduated return to competition and practice protocol



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until he/she receives a medical evaluation andprovides a medical clearance/release that has beenreviewed and approved by the school or team physicianor school athletic trainer.

4. Complete physical, cognitive, emotional, and socialrest is advised while the student-athlete isexperiencing symptoms and signs of a sports-relatedconcussion or other head injury. (Minimize mentalexertion, limit over-stimulation and multi-tasking,etc.)

5. During the rest/recovery period while the athlete isexperiencing symptoms and signs of a sports-relatedconcussion, the athlete must report their symptoms tothe school athletic trainer on a regular basis.

a. If the student athlete is attending school, thesymptoms should be reported daily to theathletic trainer in order to document thequantity and quality of symptoms and to provideaccurate information for the consultationbetween the athletic trainer and attendingphysician.

b. If the student is excused from school by theattending physician, then the report of symptomsto the athletic trainer will begin on thestudent's first day back in school.

c. During the recovery period the athlete may berequired to participate in computerized testingto successfully diagnose and manage thesuspected concussion.

F. Graduated Return to Competition and Practice Protocol

1. Upon acceptance of the written medicalrelease/clearance by athletic trainer, schoolphysician or team physician, the student-athlete maybegin a graduated return to competition and practiceprotocol supervised by a licensed athletic trainer,school or team physician, or designated school nurse



M

trained in the evaluation and management ofconcussions and other head injuries. The followingsteps shall be followed:

Step 1 - Completion of a full day of normal cognitiveactivities (attendance at school, studying for tests,watching practice, interacting with peers, etc.)without re-emergence of any signs or symptoms. Ifthere is no return of signs or symptoms of aconcussion, the student-athlete may advance to Step 2below on the next day. If a re-emergence of anysigns or symptoms of a concussion occur, the student-athlete shall be required to have a re-evaluation bythe student-athlete's physician or licensedhealthcare provider. The student-athlete shall notbe permitted to begin the graduated return tocompetition and practice protocol until a medicalclearance, as required in E.3. above, is provided andapproved by the school or team physician.

Step 2 - Light aerobic exercise, which includeswalking, swimming, or stationary cycling, keeping theintensity less than 70% maximum percentage heartrate. There shall be no resistance training. Theobjective of this Step is increased heart rate. Ifthere is no return of any signs or symptoms of aconcussion, the student-athlete may advance to Step 3below on the next day. If a re-emergence of anysigns or symptoms of a concussion occur, the student-athlete shall return to Step 1.

Step 3 - Sport-specific exercise including skatingand/or running. There shall be no head impactactivities. The objective of this Step is to addmovement and continue to increase the student-athlete’s heart rate. If there is no return of anysigns or symptoms of a concussion, the student-athlete may advance to Step 4 below on the next day.If a re-emergence of any signs or symptoms of aconcussion occur, the student-athlete shall return toStep 2.

Step 4 - Non-contact training drills such as passingdrills, agility drills, throwing, catching, etc. The



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student-athlete may initiate progressive resistancetraining. If there is no return of any signs orsymptoms of a concussion, the student-athlete mayadvance to Step 5 below on the next day. If a re-emergence of any signs or symptoms of a concussionoccur, the student-athlete shall return to Step 3.

Step 5 - The student/athlete's medical condition,upon completing Step 4 with no return of any signs orsymptoms of a concussion, shall be evaluated formedical clearance based upon consultation between theschool district's licensed athletic trainer, schoolor team physician, designated school nurse, and thestudent-athlete's physician. After this consultationthe student-athlete may participate in normaltraining activities. The objective of this Step isto restore the student-athlete’s confidence and forthe coaching staff to assess the student-athlete’sfunctional skills. If there is no return of anysigns or symptoms of a concussion, the student-athlete may advance to Step 6 below on the next day.If a re-emergence of any signs or symptoms of aconcussion occur or if the student-athlete does notobtain medical release/clearance to proceed to Step6, the school or team physician, in consultation withthe student-athlete's physician, shall determine thestudent-athlete's return to competition and practiceprotocol.

Step 6 - Return to play involving normal exertion orgame activity. If the student-athlete exhibits a re-emergence of any concussion signs or symptoms oncehe/she returns to physical activity, he/she will beremoved from further activities and returned to Step5.

G. Temporary Accommodations for Student-Athletes with Sports-Related Head Injuries

1. Rest is the best "medicine" for healing concussionsor other head injuries. The concussed brain isaffected in many functional aspects as a result ofthe injury. Memory, attention span, concentration,



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and speed of processing significantly impactlearning. Further, exposing the concussed student-athlete to the stimulating school environment maydelay the resolution of symptoms needed for recovery.Accordingly, consideration of the cognitive effectsin returning to the classroom is also an importantpart of the treatment of sports-related concussionsand head injuries.

2. Mental exertion increases the symptoms fromconcussions and affects recovery. To recover,cognitive rest is just as important as physical rest.Reading, studying, computer usage, testing, texting,and watching movies if a pupil is sensitive tolight/sound, can slow a pupil's recovery. Inaccordance with the Centers for Disease Control'stoolkit on managing concussions, the Board ofEducation may look to address the pupil's cognitiveneeds in the following ways. Pupils who return toschool after a concussion may need to:

a. Take rest breaks as needed;

b. Spend fewer hours at school;

c. Be given more time to take tests or completeassignments (all courses should be considered);

d. Receive help with schoolwork;

e. Reduce time spent on the computer, reading, andwriting; and/or

f. Be granted early dismissal from class to avoidcrowded hallways.

Adopted: 15 August 2011

E X H I B I T 3

Second Reading – 8/15/11 Board Meeting PUPILS5512/page 1 of 26

HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYINGM

5512 HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING

Table of Contents

Section Section Title

A. Policy StatementB. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying DefinitionC. Pupil ExpectationsD. Consequences and Appropriate Remedial ActionsE. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Off School

GroundsF. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Reporting

ProcedureG. Anti-Bullying Coordinator, Anti-Bullying Specialist

and School Safety Team(s)H. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying InvestigationI. Range of Responses to an Incident of Harassment,

Intimidation, and BullyingJ. Reprisal or Retaliation ProhibitedK. Consequences and Appropriate Remedial Action for False

AccusationL. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy

Publication and DisseminationM. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Training and

Prevention ProgramsN. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy

Reevaluation, Reassessment and ReviewO. Reports to Board of Education and New Jersey

Department of EducationP. Reports to Law EnforcementQ. Collective Bargaining Agreements and Individual

ContractsR. Pupils with Disabilities



A. Policy Statement

The Board of Education prohibits acts of harassment,intimidation or bullying of a pupil. A safe and civilenvironment in school is necessary for pupils to learn andachieve high academic standards. Harassment, intimidationor bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors,is conduct that disrupts both a pupil's ability to learnand a school's ability to educate its pupils in a safe anddisciplined environment. Since pupils learn by example,school administrators, faculty, staff, school boardmembers and volunteers should be commended fordemonstrating appropriate behavior, treating others withcivility and respect, and refusing to tolerate harassment,intimidation or bullying.

For the purposes of this Policy, the term "parent,"pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-1.3, means the natural parent(s)or adoptive parent(s), legal guardian(s), foster parent(s),or parent surrogate(s) of a pupil. Where parents areseparated or divorced, "parent" means the person or agencywhich has legal custody of the pupil, as well as thenatural or adoptive parent(s) of the pupil, provided suchparental rights have not been terminated by a court ofappropriate jurisdiction.

B. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Definition

“Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” means any gesture,any written, verbal or physical act, or any electroniccommunication, as defined in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14, whether itbe a single incident or a series of incidents that:

1. Is reasonably perceived as being motivated by eitherany actual or perceived characteristic, such as race,color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender,sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ora mental, physical or sensory disability; or

2. By any other distinguishing characteristic; and that

3. Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsoredfunction, on a school bus, or off school grounds, asprovided for in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15.3, thatsubstantially disrupts or interferes with the orderlyoperation of the school or the rights of other pupils;and that



1. A reasonable person should know, under thecircumstances, that the act(s) will have the effectof physically or emotionally harming a pupil ordamaging the pupil's property, or placing a pupil inreasonable fear of physical or emotional harm tohis/her person or damage to his/her property; or

5. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any pupil orgroup of pupils; or

6. Creates a hostile educational environment for the pupilby interfering with a pupil’s education or by severelyor pervasively causing physical or emotional harm tothe pupil.

“Electronic communication” means a communicationtransmitted by means of an electronic device, including,but not limited to, a telephone, cellular phone, computer,or pager.

C. Pupil Expectations

The Board expects pupils to conduct themselves in keepingwith their levels of development, maturity anddemonstrated capabilities with proper regard for therights and welfare of other pupils and school staff, theeducational purpose underlying all school activities andthe care of school facilities and equipment consistentwith the Code of Pupil Conduct.

The Board believes that standards for pupil behavior mustbe set cooperatively through interaction among the pupils,parents, school employees, school administrators, schoolvolunteers, and community representatives, producing anatmosphere that encourages pupils to grow in self-discipline. The development of this atmosphere requiresrespect for self and others, as well as for schooldistrict and community property on the part of pupils,staff and community members.

Pupils are expected to behave in a way that creates asupportive learning environment. The Board believes thebest discipline is self-imposed, and it is theresponsibility of staff to use instances of violations ofthe Code of Pupil Conduct as opportunities to help pupilslearn to assume and accept responsibility for their



behavior and the consequences of their behavior. Staffmembers who interact with pupils shall apply the bestpractices designed to prevent pupil conduct problems andfoster pupils' abilities to grow in self-discipline.

The Board expects that pupils will act in accordance withthe pupil behavioral expectations and standards regardingharassment, intimidation, and bullying, including:

1. Pupil responsibilities (e.g., requirements for pupilsto conform to reasonable standards of sociallyaccepted behavior; respect the person, property andrights of others; obey constituted authority; andrespond to those who hold that authority);

2. Appropriate recognition for positive reinforcement forgood conduct, self-discipline, and good citizenship;

3. Pupil rights; and

4. Sanctions and due process for violations of the Codeof Pupil Conduct.

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15(a) and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1(a)1, the district has involved a broad-base of schooland community members, including parents, pupils,instructional staff, pupil support services staff, schooladministrators, and school volunteers, as well ascommunity organizations, such as faith-based, health andhuman service, business and law enforcement, in thedevelopment of this Policy. Based on locally determinedand accepted core ethical values adopted by the Board,pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1(a)2, the Board must developguidelines for pupil conduct pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1. These guidelines for pupil conduct will take intoconsideration the developmental ages of pupils, theseverity of the offenses and pupils’ histories ofinappropriate behaviors, and the mission and physicalfacilities of the individual school(s) in the district.This Policy requires all pupils in the district to adhereto the rules established by the school district and tosubmit to the remedial and consequential measures that areappropriately assigned for infractions of these rules.



Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1, the Superintendent mustannually provide to pupils and their parents or guardiansthe rules of the district regarding pupil conduct.Provisions shall be made for informing parents or guardianswhose primary language is other than English.

The district prohibits active and passive support for actsof harassment, intimidation or bullying. Pupils areencouraged to support other pupils who:

1. Walk away from acts of harassment, intimidation, andbullying when they see them;

2. Constructively attempt to stop acts of harassment,intimidation, or bullying;

3. Provide support to pupils who have been subjected toharassment, intimidation, or bullying; and

4. Report acts of harassment, intimidation, and bullyingto the designated school staff member.

D. Consequences and Appropriate Remedial Actions

The board of Education requires its school administratorsto implement procedures that ensure both the appropriateconsequences and remedial responses for pupils and staffmembers who commit one or more acts of harassment,intimidation, or bullying, consistent with the Code ofPupil Conduct, and the consequences and remedial responsesfor staff members who commit one or more acts ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying. The followingfactors, at a minimum, shall be given full considerationby school administrators in the implementation ofappropriate consequences and remedial measures for eachact of harassment, intimidation, or bullying by pupils.

Appropriate consequences and remedial actions are thosethat are graded according to the severity of theoffense(s), consider the developmental ages of the pupiloffenders and pupils’ histories of inappropriatebehaviors, per the Code of Pupil Conduct and N.J.A.C.6A:16-7.



Factors for Determining Consequences

1. Age, developmental and maturity levels of the partiesinvolved and their relationship to the school district;

2. Degrees of harm;

3. Surrounding circumstances;

4. Nature and severity of the behavior(s);

5. Incidences of past or continuing patterns of behavior;

6. Relationships between the parties involved; and

7. Context in which the alleged incidents occurred.

Factors for Determining Remedial Measures

Personal

1. Life skill deficiencies;

2. Social relationships;

3. Strengths;

4. Talents;

5. Traits;

6. Interests;

7. Hobbies;

8. Extra-curricular activities;

9. Classroom participation;

10. Academic performance; and

11. Relationship to pupils and the school district.

Environmental

1. School culture;



2. School climate;

3. Pupil-staff relationships and staff behavior towardthe pupil;

4. General staff management of classrooms or othereducational environments;

5. Staff ability to prevent and manage difficult orinflammatory situations;

6. Social-emotional and behavioral supports;

7. Social relationships;

8. Community activities;

9. Neighborhood situation; and

10. Family situation.

Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a pupilor staff member who commits one or more acts ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying may range frompositive behavioral interventions up to and includingsuspension or expulsion of pupils, as set forth in theBoard’s approved Code of Pupil Conduct pursuant toN.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1. Consequences for a pupil who commitsan act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying shall bevaried and graded according to the nature of the behavior,the developmental age of the pupil and the pupil’s historyof problem behaviors and performance, and must beconsistent with the Board’s approved Code of Pupil Conductand N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7, Student Conduct. Remedial measuresshall be designed to correct the problem behavior, preventanother occurrence of the problem, protect and providesupport for the victim of the act, and take correctiveaction for documented systemic problems related toharassment, intimidation, or bullying. The consequencesand remedial measures may include, but are not limited to,the examples listed below:

Examples of Consequences

1. Admonishment;



2. Temporary removal from the classroom;

3. Deprivation of privileges;

4. Classroom or administrative detention;

5. Referral to disciplinarian;

6. In-school suspension during the school week or theweekend;

7. After-school programs;

8. Out-of-school suspension (short-term or long-term);

9. Reports to law enforcement or other legal action;

10. Expulsion; and

11. Bans from providing services, participating inschool-district-sponsored programs, or being inschool buildings or on school grounds.

Examples of Remedial Measures – Personal

1. Restitution and restoration;

2. Peer support group;

3. Recommendations of a pupil behavior or ethicscouncil;

4. Corrective instruction or other relevant learning orservice experience;

5. Supportive pupil interventions, includingparticipation of the Intervention and ReferralServices Team, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-8;

6. Behavioral assessment or evaluation, including, butnot limited to, a referral to the Child Study Team,as appropriate;

7. Behavioral management plan, with benchmarks that areclosely monitored;



8. Assignment of leadership responsibilities (e.g.,hallway or bus monitor);

9. Involvement of school disciplinarian;

10. Pupil counseling;

11. Parent conferences;

12. Alternative placements (e.g., alternative educationprograms);

13. Pupil treatment; or

14. Pupil therapy.

Examples of Remedial Measures - Environmental (Classroom,School Building or School District)

1. School and community surveys or other strategies fordetermining the conditions contributing toharassment, intimidation, or bullying;

2. School culture change;

3. School climate improvement;

4. Adoption of research-based, systemic bullyingprevention programs;

5. School policy and procedures revisions;

6. Modifications of schedules;

7. Adjustments in hallway traffic;

8. Modifications in pupil routes or patterns travelingto and from school;

9. Supervision of pupil before and after school,including school transportation;

10. Targeted use of monitors (e.g., hallway, cafeteria,locker room, playground, school perimeter, bus);



11. Teacher aides;

12. Small or large group presentations for fullyaddressing the behaviors and the responses to thebehaviors;

13. General professional development programs forcertificated and non-certificated staff;

14. Professional development plans for involved staff;

15. Disciplinary action for school staff who contributedto the problem;

16. Supportive institutional interventions, includingparticipation of the Intervention and ReferralServices Team, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-8;

17. Parent conferences;

18. Family counseling;

19. Involvement of parent-teacher organizations;

20. Involvement of community-based organizations;

21. Development of a general bullying response plan;

22. Recommendations of a pupil behavior or ethicscouncil;

23. Peer support groups;

24. Alternative placements (e.g., alternative educationprograms);

25. School transfers; and

26. Law enforcement (e.g., safe schools resource officer,juvenile officer) involvement or other legal action.

The district will also impose appropriate consequences andremedial actions to a person who commits an act ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying of a pupil. Theconsequences may include, but not be limited to: verbal or



written reprimand; increment withholding; legal action;disciplinary action; termination; and/or bans fromproviding services, participating in school district-sponsored programs, or being in school buildings or onschool grounds. Remedial measures may include, but not belimited to, in or out-of-school counseling, professionaldevelopment programs, and work environment modifications.

E. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Off School Grounds

This Policy and the Code of Pupil Conduct shall apply toinstances when a school employee is made aware of allegedharassment, intimidation, or bullying occurring off schoolgrounds when:

1. The alleged harassment, intimidation, or bullying hassubstantially disrupted or interfered with the orderlyoperation of the school or the rights of other pupils;and either

2. A reasonable person should know, under thecircumstances, that the alleged behavior will have theeffect of physically or emotionally harming a pupil ordamaging the pupil’s property, or placing a pupil inreasonable fear of physical or emotional harm tohis/her person or damage to his/her property; or

3. The alleged behavior has the effect of insulting ordemeaning any pupil or group of pupils; or

4. The alleged behavior creates a hostile educationalenvironment for the pupil by interfering with apupil’s education or by severely or pervasivelycausing physical or emotional harm to the pupil.

F. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Reporting Procedure

The Board of Education requires the Principal at eachschool to be responsible for receiving complaints allegingviolations of this Policy. All Board members, schoolemployees, and volunteers and contracted service providerswho have contact with pupils are required to verballyreport alleged violations of this Policy to the Principalor the Principal’s designee on the same day when the



individual witnessed or received reliable informationregarding any such incident. All Board members, schoolemployees, and volunteers and contracted service providerswho have contact with pupils, also shall submit a reportin writing to the Principal within two school days of theverbal report. The Principal will inform the parents ofall pupils involved in alleged incidents, and, asappropriate, may discuss the availability of counselingand other intervention services. The Principal, uponreceiving a verbal or written report, may take interimmeasures to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of allparties pending the findings of the investigation.

Pupils, parents and visitors are encouraged to reportalleged violations of this Policy to the Principal on thesame day when the individual witnessed or receivedreliable information regarding any such incident. Pupils,parents, and visitors may report an act of harassment,intimidation, or bullying anonymously. Formal action forviolations of the Code of Pupil Conduct may not be takensolely on the basis of an anonymous report.

A Board member or school employee who promptly reports anincident of harassment, intimidation, or bullying and whomakes this report in compliance with the procedures setforth in this Policy, is immune from a cause of action fordamages arising from any failure to remedy the reportedincident.

In accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:37-18,the harassment, intimidation, and bullying law does notprevent a victim from seeking redress under any otheravailable law, either civil or criminal, nor does it createor alter any tort liability.

The district may consider every mechanism available tosimplify reporting, including standard reporting formsand/or web-based reporting mechanisms. For anonymousreporting, the district may consider locked boxes locatedin areas of a school where reports can be submitted withoutfear of being observed.

A school administrator who receives a report of harassment,intimidation, and bullying from a district employee, andfails to initiate or conduct an investigation, or who



should have known of an incident of harassment,intimidation, or bullying and fails to take sufficientaction to minimize or eliminate the harassment,intimidation, or bullying, may be subject to disciplinaryaction.

G. Anti-Bullying Coordinator, Anti-Bullying Specialist andSchool Safety Team(s)

1. The Superintendent shall appoint a district Anti-Bullying Coordinator. The Superintendent shall makeevery effort to appoint an employee of the schooldistrict to this position.

The district Anti-Bullying Coordinator shall:

a. Be responsible for coordinating and strengtheningthe school district's policies to prevent,identify, and address harassment, intimidation,or bullying of pupils;

b. Collaborate with school Anti-Bullying Specialistsin the district, the Board of Education, and theSuperintendent to prevent, identify, and respondto harassment, intimidation, or bullying ofpupils in the district;

c. Provide data, in collaboration with theSuperintendent, to the Department of Educationregarding harassment, intimidation, or bullyingof pupils;

d. Execute such other duties related to schoolharassment, intimidation, or bullying asrequested by the Superintendent; and

e. Meet at least twice a school year with the schoolAnti-Bullying Specialist(s) to discuss andstrengthen procedures and policies to prevent,identify, and address harassment, intimidation,and bullying in the district.

2. The Principal in each school shall appoint a schoolAnti-Bullying Specialist. When a school guidancecounselor, school psychologist, or another individual



similarly trained is currently employed in the school,the Principal shall appoint that individual to be theschool Anti-Bullying Specialist. If no individualmeeting this criteria is currently employed in theschool, the Principal shall appoint a school Anti-Bullying Specialist from currently employed schoolpersonnel.

The school Anti-Bullying Specialist shall:

a. Chair the School Safety Team as provided inN.J.S.A. 18A:37-21;

b. Lead the investigation of incidents ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying in theschool; and

c. Act as the primary school official responsiblefor preventing, identifying, and addressingincidents of harassment, intimidation, orbullying in the school.

3. A School Safety Team shall be formed in each schoolin the district to develop, foster, and maintain apositive school climate by focusing on the on-going,systemic process and practices in the school, and toaddress school climate issues such as harassment,intimidation, or bullying. Each School Safety Teamshall meet at least two times per school year. TheSchool Safety Team shall consist of the Principal orthe Principal’s designee who, if possible, shall be asenior administrator in the school and the followingappointees of the Principal: a teacher in the school;a school Anti-Bullying Specialist; a parent of apupil in the school; and other members to bedetermined by the Principal. The school Anti-Bullying Specialist shall serve as the chair of theSchool Safety Team.

The School Safety Team shall:

a. Receive any complaints of harassment,intimidation, or bullying of pupils that havebeen reported to the Principal;



b. Receive copies of any report prepared after aninvestigation of an incident of harassment,intimidation, or bullying;

c. Identify and address patterns of harassment,intimidation, or bullying of pupils in theschool;

d. Review and strengthen school climate and thepolicies of the school in order to prevent andaddress harassment, intimidation, or bullying ofpupils;

e. Educate the community, including pupils,teachers, administrative staff, and parents, toprevent and address harassment, intimidation, orbullying of pupils;

f. Participate in the training required pursuant tothe provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:37-13 et seq. andother training which the Principal or thedistrict Anti-Bullying Coordinator may request;

g. Collaborate with the district Anti-BullyingCoordinator in the collection of district-widedata and in the development of district policiesto prevent and address harassment, intimidation,or bullying of pupils; and

h. Execute such other duties related to harassment,intimidation, or bullying as requested by thePrincipal or district Anti-Bullying Coordinator.

The members of a School Safety Team shall be providedprofessional development opportunities that addresseffective practices of successful school climate programsor approaches. Notwithstanding any provision of N.J.S.A.18A:37-21 to the contrary, a parent who is a member of theSchool Safety Team shall not participate in the activitiesof the team set forth in 3. a., b., or c. above or anyother activities of the team which may compromise theconfidentiality of a pupil.



H. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Investigation

The Board requires a thorough and complete investigation tobe conducted for each report of an alleged incident ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying. The investigationshall be initiated by the Principal or the Principal’sdesignee within one school day of the verbal report of theincident. The investigation shall be conducted by theschool Anti-Bullying Specialist. The Principal may appointadditional personnel who are not school Anti-BullyingSpecialists to assist the school Anti-Bullying Specialistin the investigation.

The investigation shall be completed and the writtenfindings submitted to the Principal as soon as possible,but not later than ten school days from the date of thewritten report of the alleged incident of harassment,intimidation, or bullying. Should information regardingthe reported incident and the investigation be receivedafter the end of the ten-day period, the school Anti-Bullying Specialist or the Principal shall amend theoriginal report of the results of the investigation toensure there is an accurate and current record of the factsand activities concerning the reported incident.

The Principal shall proceed in accordance with the Code ofPupil Conduct, as appropriate, based on the investigationfindings. The Principal shall submit the report to theSuperintendent within two school days of the completion ofthe investigation and in accordance with theAdministrative Procedures Act (N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1 et seq.).As appropriate to the findings from the investigation, theSuperintendent shall ensure the Code of Pupil Conduct hasbeen implemented and provide intervention services, ordercounseling, establish training programs to reduceharassment, intimidation, or bullying and enhance schoolclimate, or take or recommend other appropriate action, asnecessary.

The Superintendent shall report the results of eachinvestigation to the Board of Education no later than thedate of the regularly scheduled Board of Education meetingfollowing the completion of the investigation. TheSuperintendent’s report also shall include information onany consequences imposed under the Code of Pupil Conduct,



intervention services provided, counseling ordered,training established or other action taken or recommendedby the Superintendent.

Parents of the pupils who are parties to the investigationshall be provided with information about the investigation,in accordance with Federal and State law and regulation.The information to be provided to parents or guardiansshall include the nature of the investigation, whether thedistrict found evidence of harassment, intimidation, orbullying, or whether consequences were imposed or servicesprovided to address the incident of harassment,intimidation, or bullying. This information shall beprovided in writing within five school days after theresults of the investigation are reported to the Board ofEducation.

A parent or guardian may request a hearing before the Boardof Education after receiving the information. When arequest for a hearing is granted, the hearing shall be heldwithin ten school days of the request. The Board ofEducation shall conduct the hearing in executive session,pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-1et seq.), to protect the confidentiality of the pupils. Atthe hearing, the Board may hear testimony from and considerinformation provided by the school Anti-Bullying Specialistand others, as appropriate, regarding the alleged incident,the findings from the investigation of the allegedincident, recommendations for consequences or services, andany programs instituted to reduce such incidents, prior torendering a determination.

At the regularly scheduled Board of Education meetingfollowing its receipt of the report or following a hearingin executive session, the Board shall issue a decision, inwriting, to affirm, reject, or modify the Superintendent’sdecision. The Board’s decision may be appealed to theCommissioner of Education, in accordance with N.J.A.C.6A:3, Controversies and Disputes, no later than ninetydays after issuance of the Board of Education’s decision.

A parent, pupil, legal guardian, or organization may file acomplaint with the Division on Civil Rights within onehundred eighty days of the occurrence of any incident ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying based on membership



in a protected group as enumerated in the "Law AgainstDiscrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.).

I. Range of Responses to an Incident of Harassment,Intimidation or Bullying

The Board authorizes the Principal of each school, inconjunction with the Anti-Bullying Specialist, to definethe range of ways in which school staff will respond oncean incident of harassment, intimidation, or bullying isconfirmed, and the Superintendent shall respond toconfirmed harassment, intimidation, and bullying,according to the parameters described in this Policy.The range of ways in which school staff will respond shallinclude an appropriate combination of counseling, supportservices, intervention services, and other programs. TheBoard recognizes that some acts of harassment,intimidation or bullying may be isolated incidentsrequiring the school officials respond appropriately tothe individual(s) committing the acts. Other acts may beso serious or parts of a larger pattern of harassment,intimidation or bullying that they require a responseeither at the classroom, school building or schooldistrict level or by law enforcement officials.

Consequences and appropriate remedial actions for a pupilwho commits an act of harassment, intimidation, orbullying may range from positive behavioral interventionsup to and including suspension or expulsion, as permittedunder N.J.S.A. 18A:37-1, Discipline of Pupils and as setforth in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.2, Short-term Suspensions,N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.3, Long-term Suspensions and N.J.A.C.6A:16-7.5, Expulsions.

In considering whether a response beyond the individuallevel is appropriate, school officials shall consider thenature and circumstances of the act, the degree of harm,the nature and severity of the behavior, past incidencesor past or continuing patterns of behavior, and thecontext in which the alleged incident(s) occurred.Institutional (i.e., classroom, school building, schooldistrict) responses can range from school and communitysurveys, to mailings, to focus groups, to adoption ofresearch-based harassment, intimidation or bullyingprevention program models, to training for certificated



and non-certificated staff, to participation of parentsand other community members and organizations, to small orlarge group presentations for fully addressing the actionsand the school’s response to the actions, in the contextof the acceptable pupil and staff member behavior and theconsequences of such actions, and to the involvement oflaw enforcement officers, including safe schools resourceofficers.

For every incident of harassment, intimidation, orbullying, the school officials must respond appropriatelyto the individual who committed the act. The Board isencouraged to set the parameters for the range of responsesto be established by the Principal, in conjunction with theAnti-Bullying Specialist, and for the Superintendent tofollow. The range of responses to confirmed harassment,intimidation, or bullying acts should include individual,classroom, school, or district responses, as appropriate tothe findings from each incident. Examples of responsesthat apply to each of these categories are provided below:

1. Individual responses can include positive behavioralinterventions (e.g., peer mentoring, short-termcounseling, life skills groups) and punitive actions(e.g., detention, in-school or out-of-schoolsuspension, expulsion, law enforcement report, orother legal action).

2. Classroom responses can include class discussionsabout an incident of harassment, intimidation orbullying, role plays, research projects, observing anddiscussing audio-visual materials on these subjects,and skill-building lessons in courtesy, tolerance,assertiveness, and conflict management.

3. School responses can include theme days, learningstation programs, parent programs, and informationdisseminated to pupils and parents or guardians, suchas fact sheets or newsletters explaining acceptableuses of electronic and wireless communication devicesor strategies for fostering expected pupil behavior.

4. District-wide responses can include communityinvolvement in policy review and development,professional development programs, adoption of



curricula and school-wide programs, coordination withcommunity-based organizations (e.g., mental health,health services, health facilities, law enforcementofficials, faith-based organizations), anddisseminating information on the core ethical valuesadopted by the district Board of Education’s Code ofPupil Conduct, per N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1(a)2.

The district will identify a range of strategies andresources, which could include, but not be limited to, thefollowing actions for individual victims: counseling;teacher aides; hallway and playground monitors; schedulechanges; before and after school supervision; schooltransportation supervision; school transfers; and therapy.

J. Reprisal or Retaliation Prohibited

The Board prohibits a Board member, school employee,contracted service provider who has contact with pupils,school volunteer, or pupil from engaging in reprisal,retaliation, or false accusation against a victim,witness, one with reliable information, or any otherperson who has reliable information about an act ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying or who reports anact of harassment, intimidation or bullying. Theconsequence and appropriate remedial action for a personwho engages in reprisal or retaliation shall be determinedby the administrator after consideration of the nature,severity and circumstances of the act, in accordance withcase law, Federal and State statutes and regulations anddistrict policies and procedures.

All suspected acts of reprisal or retaliation will be takenseriously and appropriate responses will be made inaccordance with the totality of the circumstances. Examplesof consequences and remedial measures for pupils who engagein reprisal or retaliation are listed and described in theConsequences and Appropriate Remedial Actions section ofthis Policy.

Examples of consequences for a school employee or acontracted service provider who has contact with pupils whoengages in reprisal or retaliation may include, but not belimited to: verbal or written reprimand; incrementwithholding; legal action; disciplinary action;termination; and/or bans from providing services,



participating in school district-sponsored programs, orbeing in school buildings or on school grounds. Remedialmeasures may include, but not be limited to, in or out-of-school counseling, professional development programs, andwork environment modifications.

Examples of consequences for a Board member who engages inreprisal or retaliation may include, but not be limited to,reprimand, legal action, and other action authorized bystatute or administrative code. Remedial measures mayinclude, but not be limited to, counseling and professionaldevelopment.

K. Consequences and Appropriate Remedial Action for FalseAccusation

The Board prohibits any person from falsely accusinganother as a means of retaliation or as a means ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying.

1. Pupils - Consequences and appropriate remedial actionfor a pupil found to have falsely accused another asa means of harassment, intimidation, or bullying oras a means of retaliation may range from positivebehavioral interventions up to and includingsuspension or expulsion, as permitted under N.J.S.A.18A:37-1 et seq., Discipline of Pupils and as setforth in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.2, Short-term Suspensions,N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7, Long-term Suspensions and N.J.A.C.6a:16-7.5, Expulsions and those listed and describedin the Consequences and Appropriate Remedial Actionssection of this Policy.

2. School Employees - Consequences and appropriateremedial action for a school employee or contractedservice provider who has contact with pupils found tohave falsely accused another as a means ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying or as a meansof retaliation could entail discipline in accordancewith district policies, procedures, and agreementswhich may include, but not be limited to: reprimand,suspension, increment withholding, or termination;and/or bans from providing services, participating inschool district-sponsored programs; or being inschool buildings or on school grounds. Remedial



measures may include, but not be limited to, in orout-of-school counseling, professional developmentprograms, and work environment modifications.

3. Visitors or Volunteers - Consequences and appropriateremedial action for a visitor or volunteer found tohave falsely accused another as a means ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying or as a meansof retaliation could be determined by the schooladministrator, after consideration of the nature,severity and circumstances of the act, including lawenforcement reports or other legal actions, removalof buildings or grounds privileges, or prohibitingcontact with pupils or the provision of pupilservices. Remedial measures may include, but not belimited to, in or out-of-school counseling,professional development programs, and workenvironment modifications.

L. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy Publicationand Dissemination

This Policy will be disseminated annually by theSuperintendent to all school employees, contracted serviceproviders who have contact with pupils, school volunteers,pupils, and parents who have children enrolled in a schoolin the district, along with a statement explaining thePolicy applies to all acts of harassment, intimidation orbullying, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14 that occur onschool property, at school-sponsored functions or on aschool bus and, as appropriate, acts that occur off schoolgrounds.

The Superintendent shall ensure that notice of this Policyappears in the pupil handbook and all other publicationsof the school district that sets forth the comprehensiverules, procedures, and standards for schools within theschool district.

The Superintendent shall post a link to the district’sHarassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy that isprominently displayed on the homepage of the schooldistrict’s website. The district will notify pupils andparents this Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policyis available on the school district’s website.



The Superintendent shall post the name, school phonenumber, school address, and school email address of thedistrict Anti-Bullying Coordinator on the home page of theschool district’s website. Each Principal shall post thename, school phone number, address, and school emailaddress of both the Anti-Bullying Specialist and thedistrict Anti-Bullying Coordinator on the home page of eachschool’s website.

M. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Training andPrevention Programs

The Superintendent and Principal(s) shall provide trainingon the school district's Harassment, Intimidation andBullying Policy to current and new school employees,contracted service providers, and volunteers who havesignificant contact with pupils. The training shallinclude instruction on preventing bullying on the basis ofthe protected categories enumerated in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-14and other distinguishing characteristics that may inciteincidents of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, orbullying. The school district’s employee training programshall include information regarding the school district’sPolicy against harassment, intimidation, or bullying, whichshall be provided to full-time and part-time staff members,contracted service providers, and school volunteers whohave significant contact with pupils.

Each public school teacher shall be required to complete atleast two hours of instruction in harassment, intimidation,and bullying prevention in each professional developmentperiod as part of the professional development requirementpursuant to N.J.S.A. 18:37-22.d.

The required two hours of suicide prevention instructionfor teaching staff members shall include information on therelationship between the risk of suicide and incidents ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying in accordance withthe provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:6-112.

Board members shall be required to complete a trainingprogram on harassment, intimidation, and bullying inaccordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:12-33.



The school district shall provide time during the usualschool schedule for the Anti-Bullying Coordinator and eachschool Anti-Bullying Specialist to participate inharassment, intimidation and bullying training programs.

A school leader shall complete school leader training thatshall include information on the prevention of harassment,intimidation, and bullying as required in N.J.S.A. 18A:26-8.2.

The school district shall annually observe a “Week ofRespect” beginning with the first Monday in October. Inorder to recognize the importance of character education,the school district will observe the week by providing age-appropriate instruction focusing on the prevention ofharassment, intimidation, and bullying as defined inN.J.S.A. 18A:37-14. Throughout the school year thedistrict will provide ongoing age-appropriate instructionon preventing harassment, intimidation, or bullying, inaccordance with the Core Curriculum Content Standards,pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:37-29.

The school district and each school of the district willannually establish, implement, document, and assessharassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention programsor approaches, and other initiatives in consultation withschool staff, pupils, administrators, volunteers, parentsor guardians, law enforcement, and community members. Theprograms or approaches and other initiatives shall bedesigned to create school-wide conditions to prevent andaddress harassment, intimidation, and bullying inaccordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:37-17 etseq.

N. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy Reevaluation,Reassessment and Review

The Superintendent shall develop and implement a processfor annually discussing the school district’s Harassment,Intimidation, and Bullying Policy with pupils.

The Superintendent and the Principal(s) shall annuallyconduct a reevaluation, reassessment, and review of theHarassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy, with input



from the schools’ Anti-Bullying Specialists, and recommendrevisions and additions to the Policy as well as toharassment, intimidation, and bullying prevention programsand approaches based on the findings from the evaluation,reassessment and review.

O. Reports to Board of Education and New Jersey Department ofEducation

The Superintendent shall report two times each school year,between September 1 and January 1 and between January 1 andJune 30 at a public hearing all acts of harassment,intimidation, and bullying in accordance with theprovisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:17-46. The information shallalso be reported to the New Jersey Department of Educationin accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:17-46. The informationreported shall be used to grade each school and eachdistrict in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A.18A:17-46. The grade received by a school and the districtshall be posted on the homepage of the school’s website andthe district’s website in accordance with the provisions ofN.J.S.A. 18A:17-46. A link to the report that wassubmitted by the Superintendent to the Department ofEducation shall also be available on the school district’swebsite. This information shall be posted on the websiteswithin ten days of receipt of the grade for each school andthe district.

P. Reports to Law Enforcement

Some acts of harassment, intimidation, and bullying may bebias-related acts and potentially bias crimes and schoolofficials must report to law enforcement officials eitherserious acts or those which may be part of a larger patternin accordance with the provisions of the Memorandum ofAgreement Between Education and Law Enforcement Officials.

Q. Collective Bargaining Agreements and Individual Contracts

Nothing in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-13.1 et seq. may be construed asaffecting the provisions of any collective bargainingagreement or individual contract of employment in effect onthe Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act’s effective date(January 5, 2011). N.J.S.A. 18A:37-30.



The Board of Education prohibits the employment of orcontracting for school staff positions with individualswhose criminal history record check reveals a record ofconviction for a crime of bias intimidation or conspiracyto commit or attempt to commit a crime of biasintimidation.

R. Pupils with Disabilities

Nothing contained in N.J.S.A. 18A:37-13.1 et seq. may alteror reduce the rights of a pupil with a disability withregard to disciplinary actions or to general or specialeducation services and supports. N.J.S.A. 18A:37-32.

The school district shall submit all subsequent amendedHarassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policies to theappropriate Executive County Superintendent of Schoolswithin thirty days of Board adoption.

N.J.S.A. 18A:37-13 through 18A:37-32N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1 et seq.; 6A:16-7.9 et seq.

Model Policy and Guidance for Prohibiting Harassment,Intimidation, and Bullying on School Property, at School-Sponsored Functions and on School Buses – April 2011

Adopted: 8 September 2003Revised: 24 March 2008; 6 April 2009; 15 August 2011

E X H I B I T 4

Second Reading – 8/15/11 Board Meeting PUPILSR 5512/page 1 of 3

Harassment, Intimidation, or BullyingInvestigation Procedure

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R 5512 HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, OR BULLYINGINVESTIGATION PROCEDURE

The Board of Education authorizes a prompt investigationof reports and violations and complaints of harassment,intimidation and bullying in accordance with the provisions ofN.J.S.A. 18A:37-15(b)6.

The following investigation procedure shall be used forall allegations of harassment, intimidation, or bullying:

1. An investigation shall be initiated by the Principalor the Principal's designee within one school day ofthe report of the incident and shall be conducted bya school’s Anti-Bullying Specialist.

a. The Principal may appoint additional personnelwho are not school Anti-Bullying Specialists toassist in the investigation.

2. The investigation shall be completed as soon aspossible, but not later than ten school days from thedate of the written report of the incident ofharassment, intimidation, or bullying.

a. In the event that there is information relativeto the investigation that is anticipated but notyet received by the end of the ten-day period,the school Anti-Bullying Specialist may amendthe original report of the results of theinvestigation to reflect the information.

3. The results of the investigation shall be reported tothe Superintendent of Schools within two school daysof the completion of the investigation, and inaccordance with regulations promulgated by the StateBoard of Education pursuant to the “AdministrativeProcedure Act,” P.L.1968,c.410 C.52:14B-1 et seq.).

4. The Superintendent of Schools may decide to provideintervention services, establish training programs toreduce harassment, intimidation, or bullying and



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enhance school climate, impose discipline, ordercounseling as a result of the findings of theinvestigation, or take or recommend other appropriateaction.

5. The results of each investigation shall be reportedto the Board of Education no later than the date ofthe next Board of Education Meeting following thecompletion of the investigation, along withinformation on any services provided, trainingestablished, discipline imposed, or other actiontaken or recommended by the Superintendent.

6. Parents or legal guardians of the pupils who areparties to the investigation shall be entitled toreceive information about the investigation, inaccordance with Federal and State law and regulation,including the nature of the investigation, whetherthe district found evidence of harassment,intimidation, or bullying, or whether discipline wasimposed or services provided to address the incidentof harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Thisinformation shall be provided in writing within fiveschool days after the results of the investigationare reported to the Board of Education.

7. A parent or legal guardian may request a hearingbefore the Board of Education after receiving theinformation.

a. This hearing shall be held within ten days ofthe request;

b. The Board shall meet in executive session forthe hearing to protect the confidentiality ofthe pupils; and

c. At the hearing the Board may hear from theschool Anti-Bullying Specialist about theincident, recommendations for discipline orservices, and any programs instituted to reducesuch incidents.



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8. At the next Board of Education meeting following itsreceipt of the report, the Board of Education shallissue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, ormodify the Superintendent's decision. The Board'sdecision may be appealed to the Commissioner ofEducation, in accordance with the procedures setforth in law and regulation, no later than ninetydays after the issuance of the Board's decision.

9. A parent, pupil, legal guardian, or organization mayfile a complaint with the Division on Civil Rightswithin one hundred eighty days of the occurrence ofany incident of harassment, intimidation, or bullyingbased on membership in a protected group asenumerated in the "Law Against Discrimination,"P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.).

Adopted: 5 November 2001Revised: 6 April 2009; 8/15/11

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