Superintendent Reports 12 HIB Incidents Have Taken Place in Heights District

Out of 33 reported bullying incidents since the start of the school year, 12 have been determined to be actual HIB (harassment, intimidation and bullying) incidents after intensive investigation, Dr. Mark Porto, superintendent of schools reported Wednesday night.

Porto said the new requires superintendents to give public reports on such incidents twice a year. He will give a second report during the latter half the school year.

The 12 HIB incidents must be reported to the state as part of the policy, Porto said. Porto provided a breakdown of how many incidents took place at each school. The had the largest number of 16 reported incidents, l had 9, the 6 and there were 2 reported at .

Porto said the number of incidents reported in the district is in line with other area districts of the same size. He attended the South Bergen Jointure meeting Wednesday where he learned other districts such as Moonachie, Rutherford and Lyndhurst had similar reports. Most districts had between 33 and 40 reported incidents and some had more than 12 deemed as HIB.

“This is something we are taking extremely seriously,” Porto said regarding the district’s efforts to eliminate such incidents.

He told the audience he is open to any suggestions in regards to programs and reporting and that suggestions can be made directly to him or to

The district has been implementing various anti-bullying programs since the start of the school year including a which brought together borough officials, town clergy, parents and school representatives to discuss ways to combat bullying. Various and are also being offered at the schools and at the start of October the

Board of Education trustee Debra Bruno reported Wednesday that a second change has been made to the HIB reporting form, the addition of an administrative signature.

She said the form will be reviewed once again mid-year as