The Leander ISD school board heard a progress update from staff Sept. 4 about the district's anti-bullying initiatives.
Renee Williams, LISD executive director of student support services, said the number of bullying cases is stable compared to last school year, though more parents and students are reporting possible incidents.
Data shows in 2013–14, 489 bullying reports were made to campus administrators, who determined 36 were legitimate bullying cases. The previous school year 32 bullying cases were reported, and in 2011–12, the district tallied 62 instances of bullying.
Williams said staffers have been trained to understand the difference between bullying and other behavior problems.
"Campus administrators take all bullying outcries very seriously," she said. "We may have some behaviors that are outside of bullying but those behaviors are also being dealt with."
The district provides training on how to handle bullying for staffers in various departments including bus drivers, school resources officers, behavioral specialists and assistant principals. Williams said if LISD staffers have questions about particular cases, she and other members student support services department can provide guidance.
Bullying occurs more frequently at elementary schools compared with secondary schools, LISD data shows. However, campus anti-bullying programs such as C-Squared, No Place For Hate and 21 Days of Kindness have been successful in reducing the instances of bullying, Williams said.
"I have to applaud the schools' effort in creating a culture of acceptance, concern and respect for others," she said. "I think that's where it begins and I'm excited about the effort schools have put for in evolving that climate."
