Peninsula School District releases outside HIB review; staff task force recommends clearer procedures, training and student voice work

The Peninsula School District on April 22 presented the findings of an external Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) review by Puget Sound Educational Service District and a parallel Bullying Action and Prevention (BAP) task force. The review found policy and procedural gaps, inconsistent reporting and racialized and homophobic slurs as an emergent concern, and recommended immediate and midterm changes to reporting, training and prevention.

The review team and district staff framed the work as tied to the district strategic plan’s learning-environment goals. “We will ensure an inclusive community and culture where everyone is safe, valued, respected, and finds a sense of belonging,” Chief of Schools Michael Farmer told the board during the presentation.

Why it matters: The district’s analysis found verbal incidents have risen while physical incidents declined, and noted racial disproportionality in disciplinary results for some groups. The reviewers urged clearer procedures, consistent use of a single case-management system, more frequent and focused climate assessment and stepped-up training for staff on…