Schools Tackle Legal Twists and Turns of Cyberbullying

Education Week

Mary Kate McNulty

 2011-Hatboro Horsham School District students created an online poll that ranked the hottest girls in the district. Comments turned negative and aggressive regarding the girls appearance and sexual orientation.

As an administrator, what would you do??

Heres what happened

Principal contacted school board and superintendent Worked with districts Director of Technology Students were told to stop poll and handed disciplinary consequences Contacted GoDaddy.com to remove poll from internet

Concerns
Little advice about how to legally handle Court case rulings not consistent

Example of Inconsistencies
J.S. v. Blue Mountain School District and Layshock ex. Rel. Layshock v. Hermitage School District Both cases students created a profile posing as the principal Both profiles created controversy and students were suspended

The court said

J.S. v. Blue Mountain School District Suspension was an acceptable consequence
Layshock ex. Rel. Layshock v. Hermitage School District The school district could not establish a sufficient nexus between the students cyber speech and a substantial disruption of the school environment, (Davis 2011).

What to do as bullying laws go into affect around the nation?

Create detailed policies that explain expectations and consequences for students and parents Provide in-services for students and parents State-wide consistencies in rulings

Davis, Michelle. Schools Tackle Legal Twists and Turns of Cyberbullying. Published: February 4, 2011.
http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2011/02/09/02cyberbullying.h04.html