District reviews Olweus bullying‑prevention program; participation fell after switch to active parental consent

LARAMIE, Wyo. — District officials reviewed the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program on Monday, telling trustees that the program’s long-term student‑survey trend shows declines in students reporting repeated victimization but that this year’s participation fell sharply after the district changed to an active parental‑consent process.

Chris Zimney, the district’s violence-prevention and deputy Title IX coordinator, said the district first adopted Olweus in 2011 and has given the student questionnaire annually in October since 2012. He told trustees the program is research‑based and designed to be systemic: it combines school‑wide policy, classroom lessons, staff guidance and family communication. “It is considered the premier program in the world,” Zimney said, summarizing why the district adopted Olweus.

Zimney said the program’s standard instrument asks whether students have been targeted two to three times or more in…