Student board reps urge memorable videos, clearer reporting under harassment policy

Student board representatives told the Osseo Public School District school board on May 5 that the district’s policy on harassment and discrimination should be easier for students to use and understand. Students proposed creating memorable instructional videos, adding posters and providing multiple reporting channels — including an anonymous form — so more students will come forward and trust the system.

"If the student doesn't feel safe while reporting the incident, they won't share their incident correctly," a student representative said during the work session, urging transparent follow-up and clearer, student-friendly explanations of how to report. District staff said the Stop It tip line is monitored 24/7 and reported a total of 1,659 tips to Stop It so far this year, a figure the board heard during discussion of reporting visibility and promotion.

Board members asked whether the opt-in/opt-out and handbook review processes reach younger students and how promotion is timed with advisory lessons. District staff said they aim to embed reporting and the Stop It introduction into opening-week citizenship lessons and handbook reviews three times per year, but that annual reinforcement could be improved. The board and student representatives agreed that a short, engaging video and classroom follow-up would increase student understanding and trust in the reporting process.

The discussion also touched on implementation: students asked for a range of reporting options and for staff to make follow-up visible where privacy rules allow. Board members and administrators said they would take the recommendation for more engaging materials and clearer communication back to the policy committee and to building leaders for follow up.