Clark Board of Ed. Reports 20 Violence, Vandalism Incidents

The Clark School District logged 20 incidents of violence and vandalism throughout its four schools for the 2010-2011 academic year. 

Superintendent of Schools Kenneth Knops announced the report to the Board of Education last week, saying Clark's report is lower than the state average.

Of the 20 incidents that happened, 14 happened at Arthur L. Johnson High School, four happened at Carl H. Kumpf Middle School and two happened at Valley Road School.

No reports came from Frank K. Hehnly School. 

Knops said the incidents range from fist fights to damaging property. 

Last year, 28 incidents of violence and vandalism were reported, with most happening outside of the classroom. Fifteen incidents resulted in suspensions. 

The data is submitted to the Department of Education, which keeps a record of violence, bullying and vandalism in each district, over the Internet using the Electronic Violence and Vandalism Reporting System since the 1999-2000 school year.

The department analyzes the data and produces the annual Report to the Legislature on Violence, Vandalism and Substance Abuse so that the Commissioner of Education can monitor the safety of the state’s public schools.

New Jersey public schools are required by law to use the EVVRS to report incidents of violence, vandalism, weapons and substance abuse involving all students, as well as to report suspensions of students with disabilities for offenses other than violence, vandalism, weapons and substance, according to the department's website.

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