INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — There were 20 confirmed cases of bullying in the Indian River School District last year. School Board members on Tuesday spent several hours reviewing programs at various schools to address the issue.
Along with school programs, the School Board reviewed data the district has, which it is required to compile as it tries to curb bullying and provide a safe and healthy school environment for its 17,000 students.
State law went into effect in 2008 requiring school districts to follow state guidelines with regards to addressing and keeping tabs on bullying within the Schools. Schools are required to report acts of bullying to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
School Board member Jeff Pegler said that while 20 reports of bullying might seem laudable because it represents such a small number for the district, he questioned if the 20 cases were an accurate reflection of what is really happening within the schools.
“Are they not being reported?” Pegler asked.
Melinda Gielow, the director of student services for the school district said that a survey in 2004 revealed that 58 percent of students said they haven’t told anyone about acts of bullying.
The extent and scope of the 2004 survey was not immediately clear Tuesday.