Superintendent reports 30 HIB investigations; 19 founded, board to review prior cases

Superintendent Dr. Hugo Meyer presented the board’s monthly HIB report on May 7, noting that school counselors and school-based social workers completed 30 investigations between April 23 and April 30; 19 of those were found to meet the state’s legal standard for harassment, intimidation, and bullying.

The superintendent provided demographic breakdowns of alleged victims and alleged offenders and itemized actions and services provided: skill-development lessons and trainings (11), counseling sessions (26), behavioral interventions (2), referrals for outpatient mental-health treatment (8), classroom changes (5), administrative counseling sessions (4), in-school detentions (12), parent conferences (19), and out-of-school suspensions (6).

The superintendent cited board policy 5131.1 (harassment, intimidation, and bullying) and a New Jersey statute as the legal framework (as read in the transcript: "New Jersey statute 18A 30 colon 37"). He noted that the statute requires the board to issue a written decision to affirm, reject, or modify the superintendent’s decisions for 34 cases previously reported at the April 23 meeting; investigation summaries were provided to board members prior to voting.

Why it matters: HIB findings trigger required responses under district policy and state law and can lead to interventions, supports, and disciplinary measures affecting student safety and services.

Next steps: the board must consider and issue written decisions on the previously reported cases (those presented on April 23); the meeting record indicates summaries were provided to members for review prior to any vote.