Weehawken Board affirms multiple HIB findings, holds closed session to discuss incidents

The Weehawken Board of Education voted on Dec. 17, 2024 to accept the Superintendent's written HIB (Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying) determinations for September 2024 and subsequently met in a closed executive caucus to discuss related matters.

By motion of Ms. Carson, seconded by Mr. Ahmad, the Board issued a written decision affirming the HIB investigative findings reported by the district’s HIB specialist. The minutes list investigations across district schools with the board recording findings that the accused student either did commit HIB (#2) or did not commit HIB (#1). The transcript records ten incidents with a finding of #2 (HIB committed) and five incidents with a finding of #1 (HIB not committed). Parents of both targeted and accused students were notified of the results and, according to the minutes, no parent requested a hearing before the Board.

The Board then passed a separate motion to enter Executive Caucus at 7:45 p.m. under the Sunshine Act so the Board could discuss personnel, collective bargaining and litigation matters; the minutes state that discussion during the closed session pertained to HIB. The meeting returned to public session at 8:02 p.m. and adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

The HIB actions were presented as formal resolutions to accept the Superintendent's decisions; the minutes do not record additional public testimony, specific corrective actions for individual students, or detailed sanctions in the public record. The minutes indicate the Board followed the notification procedures required by Policy 5512 and New Jersey law. Any request for further hearing by parents would be recorded separately if submitted; none was recorded at this meeting.

The Board's adoption of these HIB findings places the determinations on the public record and authorized the district to proceed with any follow-up steps referenced in the investigative reports and in accordance with district policy.