At the October board meeting, the district's student safety presenter reviewed the 2024'25 Student Safety Data System (SSDS) submission and the district's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights self-assessment. The presenter said districtwide reportable incidents totaled 42 (the state total excludes separately reported alleged HIB incidents) and that Voorhees Middle School (VMS) accounted for 28 of those incidents.

The presenter explained the SSDS categories the state requires: violence, vandalism, substance abuse, weapons and harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB). She noted that the reporting rules require both alleged and confirmed HIB incidents to be logged; confirmed HIB incidents are included in the state's total incident count while alleged-but-unfounded HIB reports are not.

Key figures reported to the board for 2024'25: total district reportable incidents 42 (an increase of five from the prior year), VMS 28 (increase of four), Osage 6 (up three), Signal Hill 3 (no change) and E.T. Hamilton and Crescent with lower or unchanged totals. Confirmed HIB cases totaled 22 districtwide (an increase of seven). The presenter said the district's investigations that were not found to meet the HIB definition rose substantially: the district reported 40 investigated alleged HIB incidents that were not confirmed (an increase of 29 over the prior year), including 29 such incidents at VMS.

The presenter described the progressive discipline and response procedures the district implemented last year: a first confirmed HIB offense requires the student to view an HIB video clip with a principal or assistant principal; a second confirmed offense triggers a conference involving the superintendent; and a third confirmed offense may include a meeting with the director and possible referral to the board. She also said the district has increased staff training, classroom lessons delivered by counselors, parent workshops and a new animated video on the district website to explain reporting and HIB procedures.

Board members discussed public understanding of the HIB law and how the district might improve communication. One board member noted that behavior that parents describe as 'bullying' does not always meet the legal HIB definition and recommended more community education. The presenter and superintendent said they will continue virtual and in-person parent outreach. The district also announced it is cohosting a virtual NJPSA workshop on Nov. 18 with neighboring districts to reach more families.

The presenter told the board the district is reinforcing that administrators must investigate all reports; staff were reminded that preliminary screenouts are not permitted and that the district will investigate reported incidents.

The board accepted the reports for informational purposes and discussed next steps including continuing staff development and examining communication strategies to improve public understanding of reportable HIB incidents.