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State board hears bullying-prevention toolkit preview from School Mental Health Advisory Council
Summary
The School Mental Health Advisory Council briefed the Kansas State Board of Education on a proposed bullying-prevention toolkit that would guide districts on prevention, intervention, follow-up and parent dispute processes under current Kansas law; the council plans to return with a formal request for board action in June.
State Board of Education members heard a briefing April 9 from the School Mental Health Advisory Council on a draft bullying-prevention toolkit the council plans to present as a receive item in May and ask the board to approve in June. The council said the toolkit would help districts comply with Kansas law by providing model prevention, intervention and follow-up practices and by recommending a process families can use when they disagree with a school’s intervention decisions.
Why it matters: Kansas statute requires districts to adopt a bullying policy, a plan to implement it, and training for staff and students; the council told the board the law does not require compliance measures, dispute-resolution procedures, or standardized reporting, and that those gaps leave parents and districts uncertain about next steps when incidents occur.
The council’s presentation, led by Board Member Betty Arnold and presenter Kent Reid, summarized the statutory definition of bullying (intentional acts that are severe, persistent or pervasive and that interfere with a student’s educational environment) and noted a court decision (Fino v. Tonganoxie,…
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