WEB EXTRA: Bullying policy comes to a vote Tuesday

Discussion

December 15, 2008

By Jeff Waters, Democrat Reporter The Suwannee Democrat Mon Dec 15, 2008, 11:04 AM EST

The Suwannee County School Board is expected to formally adopt a new policy on bullying Tuesday at the board’s regular meeting. The school board crafted the policy over the previous few weeks in response to a new state law requiring all Florida school districts devise an anti-bullying policy by Dec. 1.

Suwannee County's new policy, if approved, will be similar to the state’s model policy. The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act is named after a Cape Coral student who committed suicide in 2005 after becoming a victim of bullying.

Suwannee County’s current policy on bullying, threats and intimidation stated that "The School Board...will not tolerate bullying, threats, or intimidation by any student. Any act of coercion, bullying, or making a person fearful of being harmed or any declaration of intent through words or acts to do bodily harm to another person or to destroy, damage, or steal his/her property will be considered a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and this policy." The policy also stated that any student who violated the policy would be subject to disciplinary action.

The new policy is more comprehensive and addresses everything from teasing and social exclusion to cyber bullying.

"The Suwannee County School Board is committed to protecting its students from bullying, harassment, or discrimination for any reason and of any type," Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Bill Yanossy said in a recent interview. "All students are entitled to a safe, equitable and harassment-free school experience. These types of behaviors will not be tolerated and shall be just cause for disciplinary action."

Suwannee High Principal Dawn Lamb said SHS is aggressive when it comes to bullying.

"We have had an anti-bullying policy for years and we deal rather aggressively with bullying behavior," she said.

Lamb said the new rules will give administrators more "teeth in assisting students who are feeling bullied from internet sites, Web pages, social pages (such as MySpace), etc.," Lamb said.

Yanossy said that the school district reviewed several anti-bullying "models" from other districts and agencies, but decided to stick to the Florida Department of Education Model Policy Against Bullying and Harassment sent to each district earlier this year.

The school board will vote on the policy at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at the district office. The public is invited to attend.

Text Only

Branford News

Suwannee County's vals and sals
Editor's note: In today's paper (May 25) salutatorian is above Mara Lance's photo. Lance is a Suwannee High School valedictorian.

SHS

Valedictorians
Laura-Kaitlyn Boatright
Mara Magee Lance

Salutatorian
Christopher Cole Thomas

BHS
Valedictorian
Robert Hansen
GPA - 3.83

Salutatorian
D’Vonte Cherry
GPA - 3.76

May 25, 2012 5 Photos
Democrat Morning Update for Friday, May 25
Good morning. This is what's happening in your county today.

May 25, 2012 1 Photo
FCAT 2.0 math and reading results
Suwannee falls right in line with state averages

May 24, 2012
Pest infestation spreads
Outbreak now affects more than 6,000 acres in O’Brien

“The infestation is growing at a pretty fast rate and in this case, it’s killing a lot of the laurel oak trees in the O’Brien area or seriously infesting them.”  - Suwannee County Forester Brian Cobble on the horned oak gall wasp outbreak

May 24, 2012 3 Photos
Third grade FCAT 2.0 reading and math results to be released today
May 24, 2012
Democrat Morning Update for Thursday, May 24
Good morning. This is what's happening in your county today.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Democrat Morning Update for Wednesday, May 23
Good morning readers.

Check Suwannee Democrat online each morning to learn about traffic news, weather and best bets for the day. Have a great day!

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
Suspected shooter in convenience store killing in Lake City is Suwannee County resident
Man remains at large. His alleged accomplice was arrested Saturday.

May 22, 2012 2 Photos
Pest outbreak identified
Area covers more than 5,380 acres, or 7 miles from one point to the other in southern Suwannee County.

The forest pest is known as the horned oak gall wasp.

May 22, 2012 3 Photos
Democrat Morning Update for Tuesday, May 22
Good morning readers.

Check Suwannee Democrat online each morning to learn about traffic news, weather and best bets for the day. We hope you enjoy.

May 22, 2012 1 Photo
More Branford News Headlines

With school almost out, how will your kids spend summer?