cyndy's presentation for ws 2012

7/31/2019 Cyndy's Presentation for WS 2012

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Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights:Connecting the Dots One Year Out

Cynthia J. Jahn, Esq.

Leisa-Anne Smith, Esq.

Philip E. Stern, Esq.


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Surveys: Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights

Presented byCynthia J. Jahn, Esq.

General Counsel, NJSBA

October 23, 2012


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Amendments to Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights(A-2709/S-1789)

Signed by Governor: March 26

Supported by administration Creates a new statute

January 27 Council on Mandates decision will

not apply to new statute


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Amendments to Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights

$1 million for Bullying Prevention Fund

For programs, approaches, or personnel.

May apply only after exploring bullyingprevention programs and approaches that areavailable at no cost.

For example, professional development provided by

NJDOE and other organizations.

Does DOE have capacity to provide free training?


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Seven-member Anti-Bullying Task Force

In operation until 2015

Provide guidance on available resources

Examine the implementation of the act

Draft model regulations for NJDOE

Issue annual reports


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Seven-member Anti-Bullying Task Force

Senate President and Assembly Speaker (3);

Governor (4)

Background in, or special knowledge of thelegal, policy, educational, social, or

psychological aspects of bullying in the publicschools


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NJSBA/NJASA/NJASBO Surveys

Has the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights createdadditional, unanticipated costs for your schooldistrict?

Yes 88%

No 12%

Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights: Cost (Sept. Jan.)Survey of School Business Administrators

35.9% (206 out of 573) responded


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$2.2 million total cost among 206 respondents

Professional development, $451,292 (avg. $3,959)

Materials and software, $444,319 (avg. $4,534)

Programs and initiatives, $223,029 (avg. $3,431)

Personnel, $1,084,065 (avg. $25,211)


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Personnel costs (most frequently cited):

39% Increased compensation forexisting staffmember designated as Anti-Bullying Coordinator

32% Increased compensation forAnti-BullyingSpecialists

20% Increased compensation forotherpersonnel who took on coordinators or

specialists previous duties

15%Hirednew staffmember as coordinator.


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How should the Legislature respond to the

Council on Local Mandatesruling?

81.5% Funding and/or amend requirements10.2% Let the law expire

Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights: Staffing/ProgramsSurvey of Superintendents

36.8% (211 out of 573) responded


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HIB incidents investigated since Sept.- Feb. 2012:

Single digits to more than 200

Staff hours spent monthlyto meet the lawsrequirements:

198 to 206 per district

Range2 hours (elementary district in Warren) to 400hours (K-12 district in Burlington)


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Has the law promoted civility and discouraged HIB?

Not certain: Effective programs already in place, 60.4%

Raised awareness in a positive way, 21.8%

Unnecessary administrative requirements, 17.8%

41%29.8%

29.3%

Yes

No

Not certain


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Areas reduced or eliminated:

Anti-tobacco, Drug Awareness Counseling61% Interaction with students, parents, community48.4%

Instruction26.9%

Curriculum Development26.4% Long-Range Planning24.7%

Career and College Counseling22%

Other areas25.3% (examples: group counseling,

pre-crisis intervention, basic skills instruction, socialskills for special education,other counseling areas)

No reductions16.5%


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Respondents recommended changes in law:

Additional funding

Change definition of HIB/eliminate singleincident

Address age-appropriate application

Less-rigid timelines for investigation/reporting

cyndy's presentation for ws 2012

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