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Everett School Committee adopts updated bullying prevention plan, adds state problem‑resolution step
Summary
The Everett School Committee unanimously adopted an updated Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan that adds a DESE problem‑resolution step, clarifies anonymous‑report handling, and emphasizes mandated‑reporter duties. The 6‑0 vote follows a presentation by district administrators and data on last year’s incidents.
The Everett School Committee unanimously approved an updated Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan on Sept. 2, adopting changes intended to clarify investigative steps and give parents a clear route to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) if they disagree with a school’s findings.
Assistant Superintendent Lynch and Dr. Donahue summarized the revisions during the meeting, saying the new text reorganizes existing procedures, clarifies a special‑education problem‑resolution process and emphasizes consistent DESE reporting. Lynch told the committee the district used a new attorney’s review and an internal audit to guide edits and that most changes were organizational.
Dr. Donahue said district records showed 15 accusations of bullying last school year—13 at elementary schools and two at the high school—and that two students were confirmed and disciplined after investigations. “There was 15 accusations of of bullying in the district last year,” he said. Lynch explained the handling of anonymous complaints, saying the “target is never disciplined immediately just off an anonymous complaint” and that anonymous submissions still prompt a formal investigation to seek corroborating information.
Presenters stressed that the updated plan adds a clear PRS (problem resolution system) step so parents who disagree with a school’s investigation can request DESE review. Lynch said the PRS is intended to make the outside review pathway explicit: “That is the other level to go to a, you know, a new set of eyes, the outside agency that governs all of our schools, to take another look at it.”
Committee members raised questions about how to explain bullying to parents and when schools should act. Presenters emphasized repetition and harm as central elements in distinguishing bullying from isolated incidents and described a range of school responses—safety plans, schedule changes and supports—used before more serious discipline.
The committee voted by roll call to accept the plan. The clerk recorded six affirmative votes: Miss Babcock, Miss Barrows, Miss Cornelia, Miss Cristiano, Miss Garren and the chair. The motion carried 6‑0. Superintendent Hart said the policy will be included in the student handbook and posted on the district website once finalized, and that translated versions will be made available as needed.
The adoption formalizes existing investigative practices while making the parent escalation pathway to DESE explicit and restating the district’s expectation that all staff and volunteers are mandated reporters.
