Superintendent reports seven HIB investigations, three confirmed, in Sept–Dec student safety data

Superintendent (S2) presented the district’s biannual student safety data at the Jan. 27 work session covering Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, 2025. She read school‑by‑school counts and a district total: seven harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) investigations initiated and three confirmed; 10 instances of violence; one weapons offense; and four substance offenses. The superintendent said where warranted the confirmed HIBs resulted in disciplinary interventions and counseling for participants.

School‑level figures cited by the superintendent included: Ocean Township High School (OTHS) with one HIB investigation initiated and zero confirmed, eight incidents of violence and four substance offenses; the Intermediate School with four HIB investigations initiated and two confirmed (plus two incidents of violence and one weapons offense); OTES with one HIB investigation and one confirmed; Master School with zero in all categories; and Wayside School with one HIB investigation opened and none confirmed.

On the nature of confirmed incidents, the superintendent reported categories including race/color, religion, sexual orientation and another distinguishing characteristic, and said modes recorded included one written incident and two verbal. The superintendent emphasized that incidents where warranted led to disciplinary interventions and counseling.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the reporting period and were told the report covers Sept. 1–Dec. 31, 2025; the superintendent said the next report will include January. The board did not take action at the work session; the safety data was presented for oversight and will remain part of subsequent agenda materials.