Question on Hazing Presentation Focus on Consequences

School officials outlined their plans to address hazing and bullying at the high school and all levels during Monday's Board of Education meeting, but some questioned the consequences for both.

The Anti-Hazing Task Force presented its report on steps to be taken to address the issues in light of last fall's hazing incident that grabbed national headlines. Much of what was presented Monday was presented to the Millburn Middle School PTO last week.

Some of the actions address educating and empowering people at school, home and in the community, including school spirit activities and speakers and other education programs. They also developed a code of conduct for students, which Sharian Edgreen, a high school guidance counselor, said the students embraced because of its traditional values.

Millburn High School Principal Bill Miron again outlined the plans for the fall with the incoming freshmen and rising seniors. Juniors have already been asked to be part of an ambassadors program, which will be part of a Sept. 2 open house for the freshmen. On opening day, seniors will have an assembly to shift from the pre-school activities to academics.

"We wanted to use what happened to facilitate changes at the high school, to change the attitudes of students, parents and the community," he said.

The rising seniors were told they would be starting a new tradition, and they are excited about the legacy they will leave, he said. School officials are helping them transition into their positions as role models at Millburn High School.

But much of the discussion fell on the consequences for bullying and hazing, including for those who ultimately were punished for last fall's incident. Miron said they disciplined 28 seniors last fall, and suspensions ranged from three to five days. Some were punished for "bland" actions, such as being at a particular house on a certain night in August, Miron said. And there wasn't one specific punishment for students. Some were suspended from games, and others were punished in school.

There were confidentiality problems last fall, Miron siad, and they were conscious of not bringing all of the 28 students together at one time.

Board member Sam Levy, who chairs the Policy Committee, said there are a number of policies in place to ensure there are no hazing and bullying problems. He questioned why those policies were not enforced.

Edgreen said those who came forward were punished, but it was little proof last fall. School officials need proof otherwise they have a hard time punishing students.

There were questions about suspensions for hazing and bullying being placed on a permanent record. Miron said it was an issue the task force discussed and talked to other schools about. Most schools do not send that information to colleges unless it was serious. Students have been suspended for posting things on Facebook, he said, and that is not something they're inclined to send to a college. "It needs to be beyond a Facebook incident," he said.

One parent questioned the process and said students should be responsible for their actions. The information should be sent to colleges. But Edgreen said if most schools put the information on the college applications, it would be great. But that doesn't happen. Plus what a student could be suspended for in Millburn is different than what they could be suspended for in another school district.

Board Vice President Jeff Waters focused on athletic awards, specifically the Wendy's High School Heisman, as he did last fall when he called for a review of the process. He cited how administrators had to sign off on applications, which cite students for athletics, academics and citizenship. Conceptually, he said, someone involved in a hazing incident like last fall doesn't promote good citizenship and shouldn't be involved. He questioned what actions were being put into place to ensure it doesn't happen and if school officials would call the award officials to pull applications.

Miron said it's hard to define what is good citizenship, and for that specific award it was for students who had done a lot of community service. But if there is proof someone is involved in a hazing incident, school officials would be inclined to call the award officials.