Board accepts semiannual HIB report; counseling director highlights patterns, prevention work

The West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education voted to accept the district's semiannual Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) report covering July 1'Dec. 31, 2024 after a presentation by Jessica Smedley, the district's director of counseling.

Smedley told the board the report documents 42 total investigations during the reporting period, with 24 incidents found to meet the statutory HIB definition and 18 determined not to meet the HIB criteria. She said the district recorded 12 preliminary determinations (instances in which administrators and anti-bullying specialists determined a submitted report should be handled outside the formal HIB investigation process).

The semiannual report is required by the New Jersey Department of Education under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act and was presented to the board to explain patterns, distinguishing characteristics and the district's prevention efforts. "We do this report twice a year," Smedley said, adding the July'December period reflects both school-year incidents and activity tied to expanded summer programming.

Smedley reviewed where incidents occurred and how they were reported. She said roughly 40.5% of incidents in the period were reported as happening in classrooms and that staff (teachers and administrators) accounted for a large share of reporters. She also summarized distinguishing characteristics of founded incidents: race and ethnicity and appearance were the most commonly identified factors, with race/ethnicity representing roughly one-third of cases in this period. Other categories cited in the presentation included perceived sexual orientation, disability or perceived disability, gender/gender identity and religion.

Smedley described the district's layered response to suspected incidents: when a report arrives staff may pursue restorative measures, counseling interventions or a formal HIB investigation depending on the preliminary determination and whether the incident meets the four statutory elements of HIB (motivation by a distinguishing characteristic, occurrence in a school-related setting, and a substantial disruption or infringement of rights). She said that even incidents determined not to meet the statutory HIB definition were referred for counseling and restorative conversations in nearly all cases.

Board members asked clarifying questions. A board member identified as Liz asked whether July data primarily reflected high school programming; Smedley said summer increases were tied to a wider set of summer offerings (extended school year, community education, Title-funded camps) and were not limited to a single grade band. Dr. Aderhold said district leaders would follow up with school administrators to confirm details where needed.

Motion and vote: Board President (presiding officer) requested a motion to accept the report. Board members "Liz" and "Loy" were recorded as making the motion and second. Roll-call votes recorded in the transcript show board members Miss Channiero, Miss Ho, Miss Groot, Miss Maliga, Miss Shah, Miss Shetty, Miss Bridal and Miss McKeown voting yes; the motion was approved.

Next steps Smedley discussed include continued rollout of the second-step social-emotional curriculum, expansion of the Nurtured Heart Approach trainings for staff and plans to present a full-year analysis and school climate data at the district's upcoming climate and safety summit.

The board accepted the July 1'Dec. 31, 2024 semiannual HIB report as required by the New Jersey Department of Education under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act. The district will post the report as required and continue planned prevention and training efforts.