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Hardyston principal: short-term decline in out-of-school suspensions and HIB incidents largely unsubstantiated
Summary
Middle-school principal Meg O'Mara presented the Student Safety Data System report (Jan—2025 window), saying the elementary school had three HIB incidents (two unsubstantiated, one substantiated) and the middle school had one unsubstantiated HIB; both buildings reported restraint and suspension counts and the 'Second Step' program.
Middle-school principal Meg O'Mara presented the district's Student Safety Data System (SSDS) report for the Jan—6, 2025 reporting window at the Jan. 6 board meeting, summarizing incidents, restraints and out-of-school suspensions across both buildings.
O'Mara said the SSDS collects incidents including violence, vandalism, harassment/intimidation/bullying (HIB), weapons offenses, substance offenses, restraint and seclusion. "During this window the elementary had 3 reported incidents of HIB. 2 of these were unsubstantiated and 1 was substantiated," she said. "The middle school reported 1 incident of HIB which was not substantiated. There were 5 incidents of restraint and 12 out-of-school suspensions at the middle school."
O'Mara noted the district uses the SSDS to meet state and federal reporting requirements and to compare year-over-year trends for improvement. Board members commended the administration, noting the relatively low number of suspensions in the January—6 window and asking that successful practices be shared across buildings.
The board received the report; no formal action was taken.
