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ThE TRIBORO
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February 5, 2015
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Addressing the Bullying Problem
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BANNER
Sen. Casey unveils bipartisan bill during visit to Old Forge School District by Shannon C. Keith
TRIBORO BANNER EDITOR
Students in the Old Forge School District are, according to U.S. Senator Robert Casey, a step ahead of the national curve with regard to pro actively dealing with bullying in the age of social media. “This district, with its peer medication program, sets an example for other districts,” Casey said during a visit with students and staff on Friday, Jan. 30. For Casey, last week’s stop wasn’t just about praising the district for the work it’s done so far with regard to bullying — he was there to officially announce his bipartisan anti-bullying in schools bill. Casey’s bill called the “Safe Schools Improvement Act” is a three part plan to address what the senator sees as a “growing problem.” The act would: 1) Require schools and districts receiving federal funding to specifically prohibit bullying and harassment, including conduct based
on a student’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion; 2) Ensure that schools and school districts focus on effective prevention programs in order to better prevent and respond to incidents of bullying and harassment both in school and online; and 3) Require that state report data on incidents of bullying and harassment to the department of education. When questioned about how this would be funded Casey responded, “To put a code of conduct in place, you have to be very specific to enforce but it isn’t a big money issue.” “Some would make the argument this is another unfunded mandate, another rule without money” Casey added. “But I’m open to the idea if someone says to me, ‘Look I’m not going to get on your bill unless it’s funded,’ for finding funding. That case hasn’t been made to me yet but I’m certainly open to that.” Casey believes the real challenge he will
face is garnering support for his bill because it is what he describes as “to specific.” “There’s probably some resistance to making it very specific,” Casey said. “Some of the push back you get is from people who are conservative because they say you shouldn’t have to be specific as to kids who are gay or lesbian, for example. But here’s the problem, if you aren’t specific it makes it all the more harder to enforce the rule. And secondly, a lot of these kids that are being harassed or bullied are kids with disabilities, so you have to have that wording in there just like you have race and religion.” Casey explained that the bill may need to be altered slightly, with regard to the specifics to get enough bipartisan support so that it passes into law, but that’s something he doesn’t want to do “unless he absolutely has no other choice.” You can read more about the senator’s bill online at casey.senate.gov. More pictures from Friday’s visit are on page 11.
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U.S. Senator Robert Casey stopped by the Old Forge School District on Friday, Jan. 30. TS_CNG/TRIBORO/PAGES [T01] | 02/04/15
11:05 | KEITHSHANN
PHOTO SHANNON C. KEITH