Mount Olive presents 2024–25 HIB self‑assessment; district details investigation process and reporting routes

Jackie Bello, the district’s anti‑bullying coordinator, presented the Mount Olive Township School District’s 2024–25 Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) self‑assessment and explained how schools determine and submit scores under the New Jersey Department of Education rubric.

Bello told the board the annual process uses a state rubric and a set of evidence‑based indicators, completed by school climate and safety teams in each building. "There are guidelines provided by the New Jersey Department of Education," she said, and teams must provide evidence for each rubric indicator before assigning scores.

The presenter described the assessment structure: there are eight core elements and 26 indicators in total; each indicator is scored 0–3 (with 2 meaning the school meets the requirement and 3 meaning it exceeds it). Bello said a perfect district score would be 78 and that the district tracks school‑level results and a district average column on the report.

Bello emphasized the role of anti‑bullying specialists and school climate and safety teams—typically counselors, administrators, teachers and at times a parent representative—who meet regularly to review practices and evidence. "We do complete it with the school climate and safety teams in each building," she said.

On investigations, Bello described the procedural steps staff follow after a report: counselors interview involved students and witnesses and take notes; within 10 days counselors compile notes and submit a report to the principal; the superintendent and the district anti‑bullying coordinator receive the investigation record and a summary is reported to the Board of Education for the next meeting. "Investigate means look into it, ask questions," Bello said, noting that investigation does not always result in a finding of HIB.

Bello carefully distinguished between peer conflict and HIB. Quoting the state definition, she said HIB can be "any gesture, any written, verbal, physical act, any electronic communication… reasonably perceived as being motivated by an actual or perceived characteristic." She explained that an argument over a game that includes a hurtful insult may not meet the HIB definition if the conduct was not motivated by a protected characteristic.

When an allegation is found not to meet the HIB definition, district staff still may apply discipline under the code of conduct if a school rule was violated. "It doesn't mean that nothing is happening," Bello said. "Consequences are given based on the code of conduct." She added that schools cannot disclose disciplinary specifics about another student because of FERPA privacy protections, but parents are told that action was taken.

Bello pointed families to the district website reporting options: the HIB button on the About tab and a separate code‑of‑conduct report form. She also said families may appeal an HIB determination. The district submits the completed self‑assessment through the State’s Homeroom portal and posts final state‑issued grades to the district website when they become available.

The board asked about parent education offerings; Bello said the district will host virtual parent sessions in partnership with Thrive in winter and spring and that sessions are recorded. "They have been really successful," she said.

Bello concluded by urging parents to cooperate with investigations and to encourage students to tell their side of the story to school staff. "It's all done in the best interest of all our students," she said.

Why it matters: The presentation explained how the district measures prevention work and responds to allegations that can carry legal implications. The distinction between general peer conflict and conduct that meets HIB standards determines whether the HIB process is triggered; regardless, the district said it will pursue appropriate interventions under the code of conduct and provide supports to affected students.