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District safety report shows slight drop in self-assessment score; administrators emphasize threat assessments and partnerships with SROs
Summary
The Jackson Township security director presented Jan–June 2025 harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIP) and violence/vandalism data; district grade edged down and administrators highlighted threat-assessment teams, school resource officer partnerships, and a shift toward in-school remedial suspensions.
District security director John Pajowski presented the semiannual HIP (harassment, intimidation and bullying) and violence/vandalism report for Jan.–June 2025, explaining the district's reporting channels, categories and prevention strategies.
Pajowski summarized the state-required categories (demeaning/offensive text, name-calling, teasing, physical incidents) and the outcomes and locations for incidents, and said that HIP complaints may be filed in person, by phone, by email or via a confidential district form (HIP Form 338) available 24/7 on the district website.
On district assessment scores, the report listed a district self-assessment of about 72.25 for the year compared with 73.2 the prior year. Pajowski said the district continually reviews ABS (anti-bullying specialist) findings and uses that data to plan prevention and remediation.
Administrators described a deliberate shift toward in-school suspension and remedial measures to keep students engaged: "We can have remedial measures and education in school in school suspension," a district official said, noting the district's preference to educate students while they remain in the building rather than use out-of-school suspension whenever appropriate.
Pajowski also explained the behavioral threat assessment process: a trained team reviews information from school and home, interviews students and staff, and determines whether the concern meets threat criteria; if it does, a follow-up process is initiated to provide interventions and supports.
The report noted continued partnership with the Jackson Police Department and named school resource officers Tom Ki and Matt Kangelo as active collaborators on safety and training initiatives.
The board asked clarifying questions about why in-school suspensions rose while out-of-school suspensions declined; administrators said the change reflects a policy emphasis on keeping students in instructional settings while providing targeted interventions.
The board did not take an action to change policy at the meeting; the report will remain part of routine oversight as the district prepares for the new school year.
