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District reports low incident counts, explains SSDS reporting and prevention work
Summary
At its June 22 meeting the district presented SSDS and discipline data showing low absolute numbers for acts of violence and substance incidents, reviewed distinctions between alleged and confirmed HIBs, and described training, prevention and parent-education plans.
A district staff presenter summarized required SSDS reporting on June 22, telling the board that confirmed incidents (acts of violence, substance abuse including vaping, HIBs, removals and seclusions) remain low in absolute numbers and that the district has clarified how it classifies "training" versus "program" for consistent future reporting.
Why it matters: SSDS reporting gives the public a regular view of safety and discipline metrics the district must provide. The presenter cautioned that some graphical jumps are small-number effects (for example, a recent uptick represented four incidents in a district of more than a thousand students) and emphasized prevention and education efforts.
Details and context: The presenter reviewed building-level breakdowns, longitudinal graphs and definitions used for reporting. He or she credited anti-bullying specialists, counselors and prevention programs for keeping most measures low; the presenter also noted the district uses vape detectors in buildings and clarified that the "substance abuse" category includes vaping. The district said alleged incidents (anonymous reporting allowed) are tracked separately from confirmed HIB findings.
Board follow-up and next steps: Board members discussed parent education and possible parent academies to build common vocabulary for discussing social conflict versus bullying. Administrators said they will continue quarterly meetings with ABS staff, continue calibrating reporting definitions and keep the board updated.
(Reporting based on the SSDS presentation to the Pequannock Township Board of Education, June 22, 2026.)
