1. Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (H.I.B.)
Overview and Procedures

2. Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying Policy
Legislation enacted September 2002 required each school to adopt an H.I.B. policy
Commission on Bullying in Schools established in January 2008, and submitted its recommendations to the Governor in December 2009
The new law was introduced in October 2010
Approved by the Legislature in November 2010
Signed by the Governor in January 2011

3. H.I.B. Definition
H.I.B. means any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents, that:
Is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by an actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability, or by any other distinguishing characteristic;
Takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, or on a school bus; or off school grounds, as provided for in N.J.S.A. 18A: ,

4. H.I.B. Definition (cont)
Substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students; and that
A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his person or damage to his property; or
Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or
Creates a hostile educational environment for the student by interfering with a student’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student.

5. Conflict vs. Bullying
Bullying is not a phase young people must endure or outgrow. Bullying is not a conflict between students or among groups of students.
CONFLICT is a mutually competitive or opposing action or engagement, including a disagreement, an argument or a fight which is a normal part of human development.
BULLYING is one-sided, where one or more students are victims of one or more person’s aggression, which is intended to physically or emotionally hurt the victim(s).

6. Differences Between Conflict and Bullying
Equal power or friends
Happens occasionally
Accidental and not seeking power or attention
Disagreement and/or Argument
Equal emotional reaction from both parties
Remorse – will take responsibility
Effort and/or desire to solve the problem
Bullying
Imbalance of power – not friends
Repeated negative actions
Purposeful and seeking power, control, or material things
Beyond conflict with threat of physical or emotional harm
Strong emotional reaction from victim and little emotional reaction from offender
No remorse – blames victim
No effort or desire to solve the problem

7. School Safety Team (cont.)
Receive any H.I.B. complaints reported to principal*
Receive copies of any H.I.B. investigation reports*
Identify and address patterns of H.I.B. in the school*
Review and strengthen school climate and policies in order to prevent and address H.I.B.
*Parent team members may only participate in activities that do not compromise student confidentiality.

8. School Safety Team
Formed to develop, foster, and maintain a positive school climate, including H.I.B. issues
Meets at least 2 times per school year and consists of:
The Principal
The Anti Bullying Coordinator
A teacher in the school
The school Anti-Bullying Specialist(s)
A parent (as defined in N.J.A.C. 6A:16-1.3) of a student in the school, and
Other members determined by the principal

9. School Safety Team (cont.)
Educate the community (i.e., students, teachers, administrators, parents) to prevent and address H.I.B.
Participate in training (both required and requested)
Collaborate with anti-bullying coordinator in data collection and development of policies to prevent and address H.I.B.
Other duties related to H.I.B. requested by principal or anti-bullying coordinator

10. Parent Rights and School Responsibilities to Parents
Parents must be informed by the principal the same day their child has been reported as a victim/offender/witness in an HIB incident.
Parents of HIB offenders and victims must be provided with the following written information about an HIB investigation
affecting their child, in accordance with federal and state law and regulation, within 5 days after the results of the
investigation are reported to the board:
The nature of the investigation
Whether the district found evidence of HIB
Whether discipline was imposed or services provided to address the
incident of HIB.

11. Parents Right to Appeal
the information. • •
Parents may request a hearing before the BOE after receiving
Parents must be notified of the BOE’s written determination to
affirm, reject or modify the CSA’s decision.   
The hearing must be held within 10 days of the request.
Made at the BOE meeting following its receipt of the HIB
the confidentiality of the students.
The hearing must be held in executive session to protect
report.
Parent Rights and School
Responsibilities to Parents, cont. --
Parents have a right to appeal
Parents Right to Appeal
Parents may request a hearing before the BOE after receiving the information.
The hearing must be held within 10 days of the request.
The hearing must be held in executive session to protect the confidentiality of the students.
Parents must be notified of the BOE’s written determination to affirm, reject or modify the CSA’s decision.
Made at the BOE meeting following its receipt of the HIB report.

12. H.I.B. Reporting Timeline
(School Day 1)
- H.I.B. occurs and/or employee learns of H.I.B..
-Verbal report to Principal/ABS.
-Principal informs parents or guardians.
Within 1 School Day of Verbal Report
(School Day 2)
-Principal decides to initiate investigation by Anti-Bullying Specialist; others may be appointed to assist.
Within 2 School Days of H.I.B. Incident
(School Day 3)
-Written report provided to Principal by staff member, student or volunteer who witnessed or received reliable information that a student experienced H.I.B..
Within 10 School Days of Written Report
(School Day 13)
-H.I.B. Investigation complete and results reported to Principal
Within 2 School days of Completing Investigation
(School Day 15)
-Principal/Supervisor decide which actions to take
(intervention services, training, discipline)
-Principal reports investigation findings to the Board at the next Board Meeting
Within 5 School Days after Investigation Results are given to the Board
-Principal provides information to parents of alleged bully and victim(s) about investigation findings.

13. Parents Right to Appeal
Within 5 School Days after Investigation Results are given to the Board
-Principal provides information to parents of alleged bully, alleged witness(es), and alleged victim(s) about investigation findings.
Parent can request Board Hearing for H.I.B.
-Board Hearing must occur within 10 days of parent request.
Parent can request Due Process Hearing for H.I.B.
Must have within 30 days of suspension
Next Board Meeting
-Principal must report H.I.B. and/or Due process results
90 days after Board’s determination
-Parents may appeal to the Commissioner of Education
180 days after Board’s determination
- Parents may appeal to the Office of Civil Rights

14. Important Notes about the H.I.B. Investigation Process
The Principal or Principal’s designee is responsible for the initiation of the investigation process.
The Anti-Bullying Specialists conduct the investigations by interviewing all students delineated in the H.I.B. Reports, including the alleged victim(s), alleged witness(es), and alleged offender(s).
Mrs. Gina Infante for Grades pK-4
Miss Krista Deckhut for Grades 5-8

15. H.I.B. Resources and References
For additional information regarding anti-bullying and the H.I.B. process and procedures, please see the resources below.
Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act:
Cyberbullying Research Center:
New Jersey Department of Education Website:
Stop Bullying Now Website:
References
SRI & ETTC. (2011, December 5). H.I.B. Training for Anti-Bullying Specialists, Anti-Bullying Coordinators & School Safety Team Members. Presented at H.I.B. Training in Mays Landing, NJ.
NJDOE publication: Guidance for Schools on Implementing the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (P.L.2010, c.122)

16. H.I.B. Roles at Bedminster
Anti-Bullying Coordinator: Jennifer Giordano
Grades PK-4 Anti-Bullying Specialist: Gina Infante
Grades 5-8 Anti-Bullying Specialist: Krista Deckhut
Interested in joining the School Safety Team?
Please contact anyone listed above to let us know!