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Board updates bullying definition to match state law; suspension/expulsion policy changes limited
Summary
Cheshire School District trustees agreed to update the suspension and expulsion due-process policy to adopt Connecticut’s revised statutory definition of bullying and moved the item forward for a formal reading; board members said the change is legislatively driven and otherwise the policy remains unchanged.
The Cheshire School District board voted to advance a revision to the district’s suspension and expulsion due-process policy so the policy language matches the state’s updated definition of bullying, board members said during a policy meeting.
The change matters because state law now defines bullying in a single sentence and the district must reflect that language in its policies by July 1.
Jeff, district staff member, read the new statutory definition to the board: "Bullying means unwanted and aggressive behavior among children in grades kindergarten through 12, inclusive, that involves a real or perceived power imbalance." He said that was the only substantive change required by the state and that the rest of the suspension and expulsion policy remains the same.
Board members asked whether the item should be fast-tracked; Jeff said the definition change is a legislative requirement and therefore one of the items the district intends to fast-track to meet the July 1 effective date. The board moved the policy forward for a second reading during the meeting.
The board treated the revision as a legally driven update rather than a district-initiated policy rewrite; Jeff said he will include the revised text in materials circulated to the board.
Notes: The motion to advance the policy was made, seconded and approved to move forward. The transcript does not include individual vote tallies.
