BULLYING AS A TOPIC IN THE DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT PLAN:
Bullying
KATY ISD POLICY FFI (LOCAL)
Texas Education Code 37.0832 defines bullying as engaging
in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic
means, or physical conduct that occurs on school property, at
a school-sponsored or school-related activity, or in a vehicle
operated by the district that:
1. Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming
a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a
student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person
or of damage to the student’s property, or
2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that
the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or
abusive educational environment for a student.
Such conduct is considered bullying if that conduct exploits
an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator and
the student victim through written or verbal expression or
physical conduct and interferes with a student’s education or
substantially disrupts the operation of a school.
Bullying (as defined by TEC 37.0832 above) and other less
severe forms of bullying/harassment that do not rise to the
level as defined in this statute are not tolerated. Students should
report incidents of bullying immediately. Failure to promptly
report alleged bullying may impair an administrator’s ability
to investigate and address the complaint. Retaliation of a
person who, in good faith, reports an incident of bullying is
also not tolerated.
(See “Cyberbullying” and “Harassment” also.)
[I'm not comfortable with the interpretation of the State Law by the Katy ISD administration. The KISD policy as expressed in the Discipline Management Plan is very watered down with caveats that eviscerate the meaning of the state law, in my opinion. Suggesting that if the bullying does not interfere with school matters, then it doesn't matter! That's preposterous! ANY bullying should be dealt with promptly and with force by the school administrators. What is currently sufficing for addressing this situation is a cop out. MM]