The Burlington School Board wants more information about how the school district is addressing bullying.
That will come in the form of a presentation from Superintendent Jane Evans, tentatively slated for the Monday, Oct. 28 board meeting.
The request came about after several parents used this week’s school board meeting to talk about how bullying is affecting their children.
The school board did not have to comment as the topic was not up for discussion, but the panel chose to request the presentation.
Evans says at this point, the district is transitioning to the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program. It is a program also being implemented in Keokuk.
Evans says Burlington High School is in the first year of the program, which is already in place in most elementary schools.
She hopes it is available district wide in the next 1-2 years.
Evans says students are encouraged to report incidents of bullying.
The reports are investigated by the administration. The data is also reviewed to identify trouble spots, such as hallways or lunchrooms, or repeat offenders accused of bullying.
Evans says more incidents are being reported in Burlington because more students are becoming aware of the problem.
The Oct. 28 meeting will be open to the public
