"A rarely used, shadowy forth branch of government voting behind closed doors" may be a suprize to some, but here in Wayne it's a normal procedure. Our Board of Education refer's to this as Policy.

Just FUND the law and there won't be any problem. Not that hard to comprehend.

The NJEA could fund it easily. They can use the money they would normally use to attack Republicans during an election year. Barbara could write a personal check tomorrow.

Providing a non-bullying atmosphere in the schools should be an integral part of the educational system sans too many reporting requirements. A few years ago my son was given a concussion in gym by being purposely tripped. I was tired of the years of bullying, so I finally contacted the police. The result was the statement that it was just boys being boys---what crap. How can children learn when this behavior is tolerated??? This does not say much for this society, and this so-called superior school system.

This was an EXTREMELY important decision. We need to end the routine imposition of expenses on school districts by the state without funding.

All this panel said was that the law imposes a cost on the school district (which is obvious despite the states disingenuous attempt to argue otherwise) and thus under the state constitution the state must provide funding.

Hopefully this ruling will set a pattern and other moves by the state that impose a cost on school districts will also be challenged.

So there is an east way to make the law work - give the school district money along with obligations. That is the way it is supposed to work under NJ law.

Oh, and this article is EXTREMELY misleading and if Patch has any journalistic ethics it should be altered. The panel did not find the "law" unconstitutional, only parts of the law. I do not think it could even do so. So things like the definition of bullying in the law stand. All that was declared unconstitutional as an unfunded mandate was the parts of the law that impose a cost on school districts. The PAtch article should make this clear.

Another waste of taxpayers dollars! You cannot legislate what is in one's heart! The "spirit" of the law is fine, but it should not be mandated BY LAW! We are taking things way out of context! I understand that there is bullying in today's society, and it certainly does not contribute to a healthy situation. Bullying has resulted in low self esteem of individuals, and even has even contributed to suicide; however, I believe that the internet, and all of these social sites, notably FACEBOOK, play a pertinent role. I do not know who coined the word "bullying" but in my time, children and teens "Teased" each other and oftentimes did not say nice things; however, you grin and bear it and move on. Today, bullying has spiraled out of control and I ask why? THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE: PARENTS SHOULD ACT LIKE PARENTS AND INSTILL CORE VALUES AND MORALS TO THEIR CHILDREN. IF THIS IS DONE, ONE WOULD NOT BE SO QUICK TO BE A BULLY, OR TO ALLOW THEIR PEERS TO INFLUENCE ONE INTO BULLYING! PARENTS SHOULD ALSO SUPERVISE THE SITES THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE ON. Quite frankly, I do not see the necessity for anyone to be constantly obsessed with Facebook, or texting for that matter. It is ridiculous to let everyone know your minute-to-minute business and every fart that one makes. There is more to life than Facebook or texting. Today, Facebook and texting is equivalent to the blinking of one's eye!

There is a tremendous lack of parenting going or not going on in homes. Be a parent, not a good buddy. Because of this lack of parenting the state mandates certain laws to correct the definciencies in our children due to the lack of parenting. We the taxpayers then carry the financial burden because parents are failing in their basic responsibility.There is something called discipline and raising a child with guidelines of what is proper. We seem to be lacking in this area. Maybe our Adult school if it doesn't get cut should offer parenting 101.

It is good intentions to stop bullying but not something we can do by legislation. If only it was so simple that state legislature makes all kids treat other kids nicely and it is so for the hundreds of thousand of schools kids in the state. As the father of eight year old triplets I know how mandates on kids just don't always work. We have laws on harassment, assault, and other areas of conduct. Teachers and principals other school officials have authority to establish rules in schools. Parents have to deal with this. It is just one of those things we can't solve by legislation and law making.

What, then, do you do about parents who condone bullying behavior? It has always been one if the roles of public school to inculcate a public, social kind of acceptable behavior. Like it or not, if there are families who allow their children to push others around, it is the responsibility of the community to push back and teach another way.

The reporting efforts can be legitimate factor that contribute to the final outcome of program and funding. Kids behavior is major component of effective learn and education. Engaging in a healthy social interaction is also strengthen the ability to handle school stress, complete assignment and have positive peer interactions. Rough behaviors can be a indicator of unmanageable stress with hidden problems of unidentified depression, anxiety, stress, disability, or unidentified behavioral related disorders. Based on National Anti Bullying Legislature and Security Services, "Bullying is one threat of many on a broad continuum of potential school safety threats. We believe bullying to be a serious issue and worthy of reasonable attention, awareness and action. We also believe that bullying is one of many factors which must be taken into consideration in developing safe schools prevention, intervention, and enforcement plans, and that bully-prevention efforts and initiatives are one of many strategies that should be included in a comprehensive school safety program."

Honestly, I think this whole bullying policy in the school takes way to much time out of our children's day of learning. It should always go back to the parents. Teach your children well, or pay the price...HOLD Parents accountable for their childrens' actions. Parents today STILL need to ask the basic questions of their kids...The five W's. Where, What, When and With Who? I just don't get it. I grew up being called the N word, because my skin was slightly darker than the other kids. I didn't have the greatest teeth so I was called another name for that. Did I like it? Of course not, I cried every day, did the school do something about it, no. My parents did. They taught me to LOVE myself no matter what. I defended myself and grew stronger. Start tough parenting. Your kids are NOT your friends. You are their example. We have so many misguided kids in our area...I believe we need to hold on to our kids and continue to teach them good morals and values until they are LEGAL adults. Now a days that adult age is higher. (which is another topic) The schools job is to teach academics, leave the parenting to me PLEASE.

My child was bullied so severly by both students and teaching personal she got to a point she has to be educaed outside the district. If the anti bully law was in effect then this would not have happened, but the district who was well aware of what was going on, at the time just decided to sweep it under the rug(sounds like the case in Emerson whereas the district had to pay out 130k.)

I agree that the Anti-bullying law is all in well intent. I am looking forward to the council's decision thoroughly to find a way to make this law workable for everyone as the concern of "school safety". Our school kids need help on emotion, behavioral and psychological functioning for an effective learn.

Different Susan here:
"...the law is unnecessarily complex and districts can accomplish the same mission with less paperwork." I imagine that middle schools around the state, if they were implementing the law properly, are grinding to a halt trying to keep up with the procedures involved in reporting and remedying apparent bullying situations that come up almost every day. The mere hint of bullying starts a long and drawn out process as outlined by the State. There must be an easier way to address this issue that doesn't require a huge amount of funding or paperwork. The good news is that the law made the schools more aware that they do have a role/obligation in helping to protect children from other children/adults who are out to do them harm emotionally and/or physically.There will always be bullies in the world, young and old, and it's good society isn't ignoring it anymore by chalking it up as a childhood rite of passage. Children need to learn the skills to deal with the bullies they encounter in life. This is the responsibility of parents and schools, since some children aren't raised well.

I am opposed to unfunded mandates in general. This was just one more. However, we definitely have to address bullying in schools, but as mentioned earlier it can be part of an overall school safety/discipline policy. It need not be as cumbersome and expensive as this law required. There need to be consequences for bad behavior.

@ DIFFERENT SUSAN : your post hit the nail square on the head!

A students needs a quick and simple way of reporting a bullying incident. The state cannot take the chance of letting it wait until Monday morning, or even the next morning. It has to be adressed in "real time". The same holds true for teachers. They cannot afford to keep stopping in class to fill out forms and reports every time a student swears at another, threatens another, or causes the need for extended supervision.
What it's going to take to fund the law correctly will cripple the education system if it continues without a specific dollar value. The training alone will send most budgets through the roof. While verbal abuse is "free", physical abuse can wind up costing millions. Finding a way to install a "press the button" function for each shouldn't be that hard. Link them to student/parent portals and community pass networks will also be very simple, providing towns have the portals to begin with.

Laws are becoming so numerous and burdensome that compliance costs (in time and money) impose almost a form of servitude on the populace. And although technology has made leaps and bounds, civility and morality have declined. Time was when standards of civility and morality were strictly enforced under pain of expulsion or shunning, public humiliation such as being placed in stocks or even corporal punishment. Isn't it ironic that our modern sensitivities are so superior, and yet our culture is full of bullying and raging against each other?

Or maybe our modern sensitivities aren't so superior after all.

I think the "unfunded mandate" is really what was at issue with this decision. While well intentioned and maybe even necessary, the paperwork and expenses came at no increased funding and caused a burden on many school districts.
I think the law can be modified with some effort. Another unintended consequence of this law has been the blurring between isolated and occasional fights with continued and systemic harassment (bullying). Often resulting in confusing interpretations by school administrators, teachers, parents, and children. well intentioned for sure---but some funding and articulation might been needed for the Anti-Bullying Act v. 2.0

What parents should do, and actually do is another story. Every child is entitled to a a learning environment free from intimidation and it takes leadership skills within the classroom starting with administration. Why is it that private schools with very little money can instill these core values within their educational systems? Or that towns with so much less money and tax revenue than Ridgewood and Glen Rock have already implemented programs and brought in volunteers from the community to make anti-bullying a priority? Yes it is what lies within your heart, and obviously from some of these comments some have no heart at all. While the wording of the law may be inarticulate and need revision it s disconcerting to see such a lack of focus on guaranteeing all children a peaceful learning environment since bullying also affects and distracts from the main educational purpose. Kids are more vicious and sneaky these days using social media to intimidate and influence their peers, and in addition, not everyone has the well-developed social skills or resiliency or parental guidance/support to deal with bullying. We need to meet the needs of all kids. Not just focus on our own personal experiences.

The right to an equal education free from violence and bettering the entire classroom has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with the common good and what is best for all children.

It is a bottom line in the question of school in a form of community or public setting, or BOTH. Most adults would acknowledge or accept that the dynamics of a visit to the community are a social minefield. However, adults expect children to be on their very best behavior when in public. Because the child's inappropriate behavior is embarrassing for the parent, children are expected to behave more maturely in public than he does in the comfortable, familiar surrounding of the homefront.
"If you don't behave, the manager will tell you to leave the store"
How can rough behaviors are allowed in school?
It is important to understand why public settings are so challenging for the child. Every person has five basic physical needs that must be met. If any of these needs are unfulfilled, the person may feel anxious, uncomfortable or threatened. These needs include:
Hunger (need for food or nutrition)
Thirst (need for drink)
Air (need for open space)
Rest (need for relaxation; reduction of stress)
Exploration (need to satisfy curiosities)
Elimination of waste (ability to conveniently access the bathroom facilities)
If the school is act like a community, how can we improve our environment to be more modern sensitive in behaviors, so the school kids can learn not to get trouble in the public setting?

To increase awareness of modern sensitive to human society, the noise, aggression and hasty pace are modern society. It is a balance between active movement and quiet activities to protect community and public safety. The school environment is to help students attain positive and reflective ethnic, national, and global identifications; socializing the young to prosocial conduct in the negative environment existing in the modern society; urging the change in culture of the public schools so that students become better citizens."

If we as a society go back to the basics and treat others as you would want to be treated we wouldn't need the schools or government to intervene. This is why it is sooooo important to instill some type of religion in their lives. Maybe this is why we HAVE religion, real or not. Go to Church! Volunteer for the homeless, feed the hungry, help the elderly, become a scout, I am SURE their is something for everyone. I believe kids also need to fear something...fear their parents, fear God, fear the effects of doing something WRONG...FEAR something! Now a days when I see a little kid, 7 or so using the new technology in our world, cell phones, internet, chatting and such, I think something is wrong with that...Today you have kids taking pictures of others and posting them on FB or other nonsense and that photo now has become viral...that is cyber bullying...I don't agree with that...TAKE your childrens favorite things away one at a time. When they are stripped of their prized possessions it hits home, If that doesn't work, take your kid for family counciling because it is something deeper and as parents we are missing it...

Follow the trail and you will find that the rots of bullying start at home for BOTH the bullies anad the bullied. Unfortunately, parents will need to look in thier mirrors and they will not like what they see. The bullies take cues from their parents - to exert power, to enure that they get whatever they want or feel they deserve, to conquer the weak to make them look strong. The bullied are not taught proper coping skills, they are coddled and not taught to look inward to find out what is is that makes then such an attractive target.

I do not agree that watching over our children is "Another waste of taxpayers dollars! " I do agree that parents are the source of the bullying and that we should hold them accountable for their children's acts towards other children. Bullying is beyond being "Teased". Some children are being assaulted both in and outside of school grounds. Children should not have to "grin and bear it and move on". I agree that parents should instill core values and morals in their children, but this is simplistic mentality that it would alone discourage a bully! My child is strong, high honor roll, well-liked, popular, non-confrontational, creative, resourceful, yet it happened to us. We teach empathy towards others but also teach that we should not be subjected to others' mistreatments. If I entrust my children in someone's care, in this case school, I expect that they return home with knowledge - science, math, English, Languages, geography, etc. - not fear that they have to constantly stand on their ground to defend themselves against a child who is out of control. I blame it on inclusion.

xxxxxxxxx

This sounds like to create another heat debate on the topic of Mistreatment and Inclusion. I wonder to know how mistreatment and Inclusion apply to any other areas of public settings such as public funding & finance, hospital, police security force, public management and operations.

To Donna Colucci: A fear of God doesn't make people civilized. This is obvious when you see all the horrid wrong doings committed by supposedly God fearing people. Good, respectful, loving parenting, without the use of fear/intimidation, helps create civilized children who prefer kindness to invoking fear in others.

I know this has been brought up before, and I know parents of "bullied" kids are going to jump on me with this, but I almost wonder if we do more damage than good.

I'm relatively young, having graduated high school within the last 10 years. I was around for a lot of the anti-bullying movement, so I realize I didn't have it as bad as people who grew up in the 50's, 60's and 70's when they went to school, but I know I was bullied by an older group of kids at one point, primarily in middle school. I didn't have it as bad as a lot of people do, but I think it helped shape a lot of who I am today, and I feel like that "one person" in all of our lives changed us and helped us to deal with issues and problems we all face.

Nobody is getting stuffed into lockers at their 9-5 anymore, but I believe we all see some sort of "bullying" going on in the work place, and I am almost wondering if by creating this perfect environment for children in schools, we are "dooming" them in their adult life because they never went through the experience as a kid and do not know how to handle it.

Food for thought.

Well, just maybe the amount of workplace bullying will be reduced or eliminated if bullying behavior is dealt with early on, in schools.

I understand bullying is a part of life and we all need to learn how to deal with it, however, I do have a big problem as previously stated when it comes from within the school and the district doesn't want to deal with it. Over a course of 10 months my child was bullied by the professional and paraprofessional staff over an aspect of her disability 5 times. Not only did the building administrator know but 3 directors of special service, 2 case managers, a guidance counslor, and student assistance, and all did nothing about it, each and every time chipping away at my child's self esteem. Bullying is a very sensitive subject matter for me and will avocate against it as long as I am living.

Bullying is not win-lose. Bullying is lose-lose. What are we talking about win-win situation?
Everyone agrees with three issues. First, bullying is a serious problem that blights people’s lives and affects workplace efficiency. Next, there are things we can do to prevent it, though some just mask it, others might increase it, and some genuinely help. Third, it is a multi-causal problem, that is, it has multiple causes. Bullying is likely to arise from various factors happening at the same time.
It is therefore just as unwise to ignore individual difference correlates of bullying as it is to insist that they are the predominant cause.

"The injury is real when kids get teased—unchecked, it can be devastating."
Old time bullying or new time bullying are the same bullied. What about giving the chance to the bullies to help them to be good parents in the future? There are underlying problems of the bullies themselves. There are many unidentified disorders that are bullies who are in the power of control. Group bullying may not be lucky for the kid to rise above the challenges. It should not be a distinguish on definition of mildness or severity of bullying. Mild signs of toxicity or severe toxicity is also toxic. It doesn't tough up the kids, it only denies on keep-up motivation and self -esteem.

It can also go other ways, overcompensate, overperformance, overqualified......

Point-GET IT TAKEN CARE OF! GET DONE, I'm a current student at SPF, and from what I'm seeing from parents here…it appears you don't really understand bullying at the high school, even worse it's swept under the rug as fast as it can be. Very disappointed the only reason that Cailin Taggart (SPF bullying counselor) is only there is because of the law, his school and others are penny pinchers, they'd rather let students get bullied then spend some money to help. Even then there's still leeway for them to sweep I under the rug.
Being bullied back in the day, different from today, very different.

“We hope in 60 days the Legislature will get the message ... so this becomes a funded mandate,” said Council Member Sharon L. Weiner, one of the two dissenters. “We don’t want the message to go out that this council does not support anti-bullying legislation. We just say the state should put its money where its mouth is.”
Deputy Attorney General Daniel Dryzga said the Department of Education provided training resources, at no cost, that the district could have used.

It is almost silly to think that children can actually 'defend' themselves against bullies in school. Children are told over and over they have to 'report' bullying to a teacher or a guidance counselor and they should not try to handle it themselves. The person being bullied can quickly become the 'bully' if he/she tries to defend himself/herself by taking matters into their own hands. You're doomed if you don't report and equally doomed if you do. Nothing really gets done. They say they investigate the issue, but it is not real time so how much of an investigation could it really be going on? Children are spoken to days and even weeks after the issue occurred so their memory of the events are foggy and not completely accurate. I can only say that parents need to continue to be involved in making sure their children have a safe environment to learn and socialize in and we need laws to hold people - parents, children, administrators, teachers, counselors - accountable for events that should not be part of the school curriculum/environment. Whether or not it is a funded mandate should not be the issue here. The issue should be how do we make children safe in school? There will be plenty of time for them to learn the evils of the world. And like someone mentioned, if we take care of it in school, maybe the world will be a better place.

"just fund the law" does not necessary teach educated people. As far as tax money goes, people are the source of tax income. Tax is public money. STOP BULLYING!!

PLAIN AND SIMPLE "BULLYING HURTS, BULLYING KILLS"

The terrifying thing is really back to "where people take advantage of other people for their own personal advancement. Generally driven by MONEY." This also ties to budget issues....& tax issues....there are double sided to the truth. Bullying can't help to deal with the these issues.

Leave a comment is to comment. The comment does not limit to response comments. People remain to believe what is good for children's education. There is exactly the point as said about personal greed and responsible government spending. It is how to best use resources on the right thing for education. Bullying and social aggression comes with the mentality of self-interest. Dealing with it to learn about social skills is not to tell people to go raise "hell" at "their" meetings.

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