Thursday 16 May 2013

Schools need adult bully policy


SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Unified School District Board of Education should develop a policy against adult bullying of children, the San Diego County Grand Jury recommended in a report released Thursday.
The policy, which also should cover harassment and intimidation, either physical or emotional, should be included in the district’s administrative procedures and school site safety plans, according to the grand jury.
The grand jury said the SDUSD also should revise procedures so that area superintendents don’t review their own decisions on appeal, and provide timely feedback to those who lodge complaints.
The investigation arose from allegations of bullying by an unidentified district employee. The state Department of Education found in 2011 that complaints by parents were not fully addressed by the SDUSD, and that child abuse had been omitted from district’s safety plans, the report said.
The jurors found that district policies cover student-to-student bullying, but not that sort of behavior directed by adults toward children.
SDUSD spokeswoman Linda Zintz told City News Service the report is being reviewed by legal staff. The district is required to respond to the grand jury by Aug. 14.


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