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Superintendent: 2023-24 HIB data shows confirmed incidents at middle school; district readies fall assessments
Summary
Superintendent Vincent McHale reported SSDS Period 2 results for SY 2023-24: Hillside Elementary had no Period 2 incidents, Tenakill Middle had five confirmed HIB incidents; for the year both schools recorded 12 confirmed incidents. McHale also outlined benchmark testing windows and Back-to-School Night dates.
Closter Public School District Superintendent Vincent McHale reported to the board on Sept. 10 that the district's Student Safety Data System (SSDS) reporting for SY 2023-24 found no Period 2 HIB incidents at Hillside Elementary and five confirmed incidents at Tenakill Middle School. For the full school year the two schools combined had 12 confirmed HIB incidents, McHale said.
Why it matters: The district is required to track and report Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) incidents through SSDS and to provide programs and trainings to prevent recurrence. McHale told trustees that the schools organized 12 trainings and 85 programs districtwide last year to address and prevent HIB.
Details: McHale said Tenakill recorded five confirmed incidents out of 20 reported alleged matters in Period 2; Hillside recorded no alleged or confirmed incidents in that reporting period. He also said one incident during the year led to the removal of 37 alleged HIB matters (the minutes summarize that procedural outcome but do not specify the incident in detail).
McHale also gave an update on the start of the school year and assessment plans: he said the 2024-25 year began Sept. 5 with 1,191 students enrolled and that faculty and staff returned Sept. 3—. Teachers will administer benchmark assessments over the next few weeks: Aimsweb for grades K—, and LinkIt windows for grades 2— in math, language arts and (for grades 5—) science and social studies. Parents were notified of the dates; McHale named Ms. Zanin at Hillside and Mr. McElroy at Tenakill as district contacts for questions.
Board response and next steps: Trustees did not seek further public action on the SSDS presentation; McHale said the report is posted on the district website. The district will continue mandated prevention work and the scheduled assessments to identify student supports for this school year.
The board discussed goals and will consider a finalized goals document at its Sept. 24 meeting.
