Wood-Ridge officials report 32 incidents to state student-safety system; one HIB finding

Mister Lisa, presenting the district's Student Safety Data System submission, told the board the Wood-Ridge School District reported 32 incidents for the Sept. 1'Dec. 31, 2023 reporting period to the New Jersey Department of Education.

"The total number of incidents reported to the student safety data system for the district was 32," Mister Lisa said, summarizing the district's required submission. He said the Doyle School reported one alleged HIB incident that was unfounded, the intermediate school reported zero incidents, and the high school accounted for 26 reports.

At the high school, the incidents included two reports of violence, two reports of vandalism, one confirmed HIB incident, one alleged HIB incident that was not founded, and 20 "nonspecific" incidents that led to in-school or out-of-school suspension, Mister Lisa said. He added the district investigated two HIB incidents in the reporting period and completed investigations within the 10-day timeframe required by state rules.

The student-safety filing requires schools to report suspensions and alleged or confirmed HIB incidents to the state; according to Mister Lisa, the district complied with the reporting and investigation timeline. He described "nonspecific" incidents as matters such as vaping, internet violations, improper cell phone use, or class and detention cuts that nonetheless resulted in suspension and therefore must be reported.

No board action or vote occurred on the report because the meeting was committee-only due to lack of quorum. Board members had the opportunity to ask questions, and district officials said they would continue usual follow-up and any required corrective steps.

The report was presented as part of the regular public meeting and will form the district's official submission to the New Jersey Department of Education for the reporting period.