TOWER- Meeting at the Tower-Soudan School on Tuesday, the St. Louis County School Board passed an updated bullying prohibition policy designed to more effectively address issues that have cropped up at schools this past year.
Last spring, the board heard from a student and her parents about bullying incidents at South Ridge, and North Woods staff instigated two community meetings to enlist support in dealing with a number of issues there, including bullying.
The policy outlines a number of factors to be considered when an allegation of bullying is received— including the developmental ages and maturity levels of the parties involved, the level of harm, surrounding circumstances, and nature of the behavior, past or continuing patterns of behavior, the relationship between the parties, and the context in which the alleged bullying occurred.
It also establishes a range of remedial responses and positive behavioral interventions, including suspension and/or expulsion if deemed necessary and appropriate. Employees who permit, condone, or tolerate bullying can be terminated or discharged.
The policy also establishes a clear definition for evaluating instances of cyberbullying via electronic communications, and can apply to incidents off school premises if the incident substantially and materially disrupts student learning or the school environment.
The policy establishes guidelines for reporting, investigations, and district actions in response to an allegation of bullying. The policy also provides for training for district personnel in effective measures to handle bullying that are developmentally appropriate.
In other business, the board:
• Heard a building report from Tower-Soudan Princiapal John Jirik, who described a number of positive behavioral teaching strategies the school is employing effectively to encourage and recognize good student behavior. Jirik also reported that the school has been developing co-educational multi-age sports programs to promote student engagement and interaction.
• Approved the purchase of a propane-fueled 71-passenger bus for $142,000.
• Held a first reading of a policy regarding the use of drug overdose medication.
• Approved adding June 19, known as “Juneteenth,” to the approved holiday list, bringing the district in line with federal and state holidays that recognize the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
• Hired Scott Aiken as a long-term math substitute at North Woods.
• Hired Douglas Workman and Brielle Anderson as part-time paraprofessionals at Tower- Soudan and North Woods, respectively.
• Hired Tate Olson as head golf coach at North Woods, Robert Kruse as head baseball coach at North Woods, Adam Hagen as assistant track coach at Northeast Range, and Cody Siebert as assistant golf coach at NER.
• Accepted resignations from NER assistant track coach Ellen Pierce, NER assistant volleyball coach Lara Poderzay, and North Woods music teacher Natalie Danielson, and the retirement of Ellen Pierce as science teacher at NER.