Board steps up to school bullies

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT-MESA -- No more will bullying be tolerated in Newport-Mesa

schools.

The Newport-Mesa school board approved a revision Tuesday night to the

district’s zero-tolerance policy -- which sets guidelines for student

conduct -- that adds bullying, intimidation and violence to the list of

things that disciplinarians will crack down on.

The 5-1 vote Tuesday was cast in a full house and came after much

discussion.

Trustee Wendy Leece, the single dissenting vote, took exception to the

use of the words “comment,” “gesture” and “action” in the language of the

policy revision, saying they were too open to interpretation.

“I feel strongly that this is an infringement on students’ free

speech,” Leece said.

Although the policy has been the subject of intermittent attacks over

the years -- the most recent several weeks ago when the American Bar

Assn. passed a resolution at its annual meeting calling for an end to

such policies across the nation -- the new revisions garnered little

notice at first.

It wasn’t until the heightened publicity of the policy after last

week’s brutal shooting at Santana High School in Santee and the

suspension of two students at Corona del Mar High School that community

members began to question the policy.

Another concern raised by Jeff Williams, a teacher at Rea Elementary

School on the Westside of Costa Mesa who handles discipline, was that the

policy revision would tie the hands of administrators who are effectively

handling student conduct.

“This policy, when I hear the word ‘zero tolerance,’ it’s a cop out

and it means administrators at that school are not doing their job.

Students do not feel comfortable sitting down with them,” he said.

Many parents say the policy is needed, however.

A group of parents of middle school students who attend classes on the

Corona del Mar High School campus approached the district in the fall to

insist that something be done about violence at schools.

They want to see the old attitude of “boys will be boys” disappear,

parent Cyndie Borcoman said.

In response, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District assembled a task

force of parents, teachers and staff to address student violence and

bullying.

The group wrote the addition that was approved Tuesday for the

zero-tolerance policy. The revision adds that no threats, intimidation or

violence by students will be tolerated.

Unlike the immediate school transfer punishment for alcohol or drugs,

students who make threats, bully others or are violent to others will

face a punishment determined by administrators on a case-by-case basis,

district officials said.

Punishment for violence, threats and bullying could range from a

parent conference to expulsion, said Jaime Castellanos, the district’s

assistant superintendent of secondary education. It could also include

counseling.

Students who will be subject to the policy had mixed feelings. Some

said it was overdue.

“I think it’s good that they are addressing the issue and admitting

that it is an issue,” said Lisa Owad, 18, who’s a senior at Newport

Harbor High. “I’m not sure zero tolerance will work for it, but I’m glad

they are not just adopting that ‘boys will be boys’ attitude.”

Girls at Ensign Intermediate said the strict policy would help to some

extent but added that bullying was rampant and that they were all guilty

of it in some form.

“Everyone has been made fun of or made fun of someone else,” said

Ashley McIntosh, 13.

“And you really don’t think about it,” added Erin Hardy, 14.

“I think it’s good because kids will learn that even if you joke,

there are consequences -- so they’ll think twice,” said Melissa Wheeler,

13.

Other students -- boys primarily -- said it wouldn’t make any

difference.

“I don’t think it’s going to help at all,” said Cory Kitto, 13. “Once

they get in trouble, they’ll just get more” angry.

“I just think they need to dig down deeper,” added Parker Matas, 14.