Schools

Elwood BOE Rescinds Anti-Hazing Policy

BOE unanimously approves incorporation into bullying, code of conduct policies.

The voted unanimously to incorporate the district's anti-hazing policy into the bullying and code of conduct policies at its Tuesday meeting. The Board rescinded policy number 0115, the anti-hazing policy, in its entirety.

Superintendent Peter Scordo explained that the changes are a result of recommendations from the school's law firm, Ingerman Smith. The original policy and incorporated changes are attached to this article as PDFs.

"I decided, because of the litigious nature of DASA (the Dignity for All Students Act), to process it with Ingerman Smith...since they're the ones who will be representing us should we end up in some litigation," he said.

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Elwood School District will now be fully compliant with all federal and state laws and regulations relative to the DASA act, enacted on July 1.

The act seeks to provide students with a school environment that is free from harassment, discrimination, or bullying by either students or employees. Districts will also be required to collect and report data annually on the outcome of such incidents.

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Board Member Dan Ciccone questioned who decides whether a certain case of bullying constitutes a criminal act.

Scordo replied, “We're going to have to look at the law as it evolves. Until we get to that point, it will be a judgement call on part of the administration and myself. We will also consult attorneys.”

Ciccone suggested that pressure be taken off the administration by calling the authorities to sort it out. Having the police involved, he said, might in itself be a deterrent to bullies.

"I would much rather have the situation where we were not liable for not making the call," he said. "I would rather be oversensitive than undersensitive and have something go wrong.”

Scordo agreed.

The next Elwood BOE meeting is a work session on Sept. 6.


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