The School Board of Broward County has one of the nation’s most comprehensive Anti-Bullying policies. Policy 5.9, adopted on July 22, 2008, helps to ensure all students feel safe and respected while attending school. "Bullying” investigations encompass bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and discrimination for students accused. The District’s Anti-Bullying Policy specifically prohibits bullying of or by any District student or employee.
The policy defines “bullying” as systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees. To be determined to be bullying, the behavior must include all three elements. It must be:
R – Repeated ( happens more than once or during one event), has an
I – Imbalance of Power (involves or is characterized by), and be
P – Purposeful (intends to harm the other person).
The policy sets forth guidelines for the identification and reporting of bullying as well as a timeline for the investigation and appeals process. The Anti-Bullying Policy was developed by a District task force including district staff, school staff, as well as community and parent partners. For more information and to view tools for the policy, please see below.