Stoughton committee removes 'viable' from bullying policy after DESE recommendation; process dispute recorded

The Stoughton School Committee voted 4-0-1 on Sept. 3 to amend its bullying policy by removing the word "viable" from the investigation-procedures section, following a recommendation from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Matt, the district civil-rights coordinator who presented the change, told the committee the suggested edit came from DESE's problem-resolution office (PRS) during a routine civil-rights and policy review. Matt said the district's bullying prevention and intervention plan otherwise aligns with the DESE model, and that removing the single word would avoid language that could be interpreted as allowing complaints to be dismissed before investigation. "The suggestion that that word viable might make that you would maybe disregard a bullying complaint before investigating it fully," Matt said, paraphrasing DESE's concern.

Superintendent Dr. Joe Baeta said the bullying statute and related DESE guidance drive the district's obligations and that the requested edit aligns the district policy with state expectations. The committee's policy working group and staff had reviewed the change; Jonathan Ford (policy lead) and staff participated in prior discussions, according to presenters.

One committee member, Karen, challenged the procedure used to advance the change at a meeting that did not allow general public comment. She said the district's BGB policy on policy adoption sets out a three-step process (information, discussion, action) and argued the committee should have delayed the vote to allow public input. "I am contesting it because I think that if we have policies in place, we can wait until Sept. 9," Karen said.

Other committee members and staff said the edit was routine, was requested by DESE as part of a corrective-action review, and did not change the policy's substantive effect. The motion to remove the word was moved and seconded; a roll call vote recorded four ayes and one abstention. The meeting minutes will note the contested vote and the procedural objection.

The committee's change is narrowly worded and limited to the single term; staff said it will not alter investigation procedures, which remain governed by statute and DESE regulations. The committee noted the district can still solicit wider public feedback on the broader bullying policy at subsequent meetings if members wish to pursue additional revisions.

The revision will be reflected in the district policy and the minutes will include the recorded objection and supporting rationale.