State board getting serious about anti-bullying policy

Facing an increasing number of incidents of bullying and hazing across the state during the past year, the State Board of Education plans to upgrade its policy Friday and emphasize training athletic coaches.

State Superintendent Larry Shumway declined to detail specific incidents or name districts or schools. However, he told the Deseret News Thursday that state education leaders want to "take action that will address where there has been more history of these kinds of incidents."

According to the board agenda, "at least one high school community has experienced very serious bullying and hazing among students in its football program this past summer despite a state law that was passed."

State rule currently includes an anti-bullying and hazing section in its discipline standards. The newly proposed board rule specifically addresses any brutality of a physical nature such as whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics, bruising, electric shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or exposure to the elements. It also addresses consumption of any food, liquor or drug.

The new policy includes cyber-bullying, such as using the Internet or cell phones to harass or intimidate.

Shumway said, "Hazing and bullying are unacceptable behaviors in schools. The state board intends to act in a way to do everything we can to eliminate that."

— Amy K. Stewart