Adoption of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Policies

This is to advise you of new requirements for school districts to adopt school harassment, intimidation and bullying policies and to provide you with supportive resources for complying with the provisions of the authorizing statute (copy of N.J.S.A. 18A:37-13 et seq. enclosed).Under the law, which was approved on September 6, 2002, school districts are required, in part, to adopt a policy on harassment, intimidation and bullying and transmit a copy to the appropriate county superintendent of schools by September 1, 2003 [N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15(3)(c)]. To assist school districts, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is required to develop a model policy applicable to grades kindergarten through twelve and issue the sample policy to districts and charter schools [N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15(3)(d)].

Enclosed please find a copy of the NJDOE’s model policy on harassment, intimidation and bullying. The policy was developed in consultation with representatives from the following statewide professional organizations: New Jersey School Boards Association, New Jersey Association of School Administrators, New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, New Jersey Education Association, New Jersey School Counselors Association, New Jersey School Psychologists Association, Association of Student Assistance Professionals of New Jersey, New Jersey Parents and Teachers Association, the Office of Bias Crimes and Community Relations of the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety and the Violence Institute of New Jersey of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Other organizations that expressed an interest in the policy were invited to provide comments.

While the model policy has been crafted to fulfill NJDOE’s responsibilities under the authorizing statute, it is not intended to be a "one-size-fits-all" approach to policy development for local school districts. The model policy has been developed more as a guide for school districts to use in developing their own policies. The model policy describes the provisions that a local policy must include; suggests nominal policy language, where appropriate (e.g., the model policy does not impose consequences or remedial actions, per N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15(3)(b)(4), since districts must determine the appropriate consequences and remedial actions that are consistent with their existing codes of student conduct); and provides an explanation of issues for consideration in developing a policy that is appropriate to each district’s unique circumstances.

While the model provides sample language for each of the ten required components of the policy [N.J.S.A. 18A:37-15(3)(b)], districts should take particular care to ensure that locally developed policies and procedures, at a minimum, are:

To further assist you in the development of your district’s harassment, intimidation and bullying policy, we have enclosed a list of resources, including sample policies and background information. You are encouraged to refer to these and other related resources as you consider the appropriate policy provisions for your district.

I hope that this information is helpful in the development of your policy. If you have any questions, please call either Ms. Susan B. Martz, director, Office of Program Support Services or Mr. Gary L. Vermeire, program coordinator, Safe and Drug-Free Schools Unit, Office of Program Support Services, at (609) 292-5935.

TO:	Chief School Administrator and Charter School Lead Person
FROM:	William L. Librera, Ed.D. Commissioner
SUBJECT:	Adoption of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Policies