Jersey Education Law » Affirmative Action

Changes to the New Jersey Bullying Law

victormedina — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:55:29 +0000

On January 14, 2008, Gov. Jon Corzine signed into law amendments to the NJ Bullying law that expanded the scope of the protected classes to include gender expression and identification. The amendments also relate infractions of the bullying law back to the Bias Intimidation Act and expand the set of penalties that can be imposed to include completing classes, counseling programs, or making payments to organizations that provide services to victims of bias intimidation.

The law also created a Commission on Bullying in Schools to review, among other things, the success of the anti-bullying law and to review the training given to teachers, school administrators, and law enforcement. The Commission is also charged with making recommendations on the creation of additional laws and regulations, as it deems necessary.

Here is a link to the law.

Posted by Victor J. Medina – Medina, Martinez & Castroll, LLC

Quick Decisive Action

victormedina — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:00:00 +0000

Quick action by officials in Gloucester Twp. may have prevented violence in that District. This story tells of a 14-year old girl who has been charged with making terroristic threats.

Instances like this demonstrate the need for a crisis response policy that administrators understand and can follow without much guidance from above. Affirmative action laws dictate the importance of following up with this young girl if her actions stem from being harassed or bullied.

Wrong Person For the Job

victormedina — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 03:05:12 +0000

There was a recent news article updating a case against an ex-principal of Teaneck High School. Here is the first paragraph:

HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP) — The ex-principal of Teaneck High School, already facing charges that he engaged in sexual conduct and conversation with a student, may face more charges if questionable photos on his computer are child pornography, authorities said.

Beyond the obvious employment implications of this situation, this highlights the need to have crystal-clear, rock-solid technology policies permitting review of District computers on a periodic basis.

In reading the story, it’s surprising that the District suspended him with pay for 13 months before a trial verdict in a case where it was alleged that he fondled the teeenage boy he and his wife had taken in to adopt.

Overall, it appears that the District could have done more back in 2003 to avoid the current issue.