Children's Council Focuses On Bullying

Children's Services Council Vice Chairman Andrew Hughes said the council should be able to get involved in early intervention, prevention or helping parents in connection with the new state bullying law.

"What can we do?" he asked Wednesday after listening to an update on the law.

Highlands County Sheriff Susan Benton suggested the council could sponsor a series of community educational sessions in each of the cities to present information about bullying, gang intervention and computer/online safety.

Proposing to follow up next month on the bullying issue, Hughes said he didn't want to wait until the council's next meeting (Jan. 28) to continue talks and taking action on the issue.

In opening Wednesday's discussion on the bullying law, Benton said the bullying statute does not outline any authority for law enforcement to charge someone with bullying or harassment.

Though a juvenile cannot be charged with bullying, from a law enforcement perspective charges of battery, assault, stalking and written threats may apply, she said.

The school district's code of conduct is tough, Benton said. "That's why I think there is a misconception when people think we have a high rate of suspensions or expulsions or whatever, but the truth is, it's because our kids know the limits and when they go over they have tough consequences here.

"I think that's why you see very few arrests on campus, comparatively to other counties around the state."

Sheriff's Office Sgt. and D.A.R.E. Coordinator Monica Sauls said with the new bullying law "we will see a rise in reporting on bullying to begin with; we will see a rise in arrests to begin with," but some students will still be afraid to report bullying to an adult.

Adults working with children have to be vigilant and respond and follow up to reports of bullying, she said.

Benton said bullying curriculum has already been incorporated into the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program presented in the schools.

"So from an education standpoint, we are talking about it, we are discussing it, there are interactive things with the kids on bully prevention," and a parent component, she said.

Also in other children's council action, with Pete Zeegers and Andrew Hughes' terms expiring Dec. 31 as voting members on the council, the Children's Services Council voted to extend Hughes' term for one year in which in he would succeed Zeegers as the chairman of the council.

Hughes' term extension is subject to approval by the Highlands County Commission. Hughes is currently vice chairman of the council.

To fill Zeegers' and Keith Campbell's positions, the council approved two new voting members - Jennifer Waltman, a veterinarian, and Karen Wright, who worked for a Tallahassee law firm and served as director of the firm's Opening Doors for Children Foundation.

Campbell resigned from his term, which expires Dec. 31, 2010, due to his busy schedule.