School Disciplinary Incidents Up Over Previous Year

While a recent report showed that the total number of disciplinary incidents reported in 2010-11 throughout Manchester schools was up from the previous year, educators still had fewer problems with students than three years ago.

The number of violent incidents remained dropped one from 2009-10, though more weapons and substance abuse issues were reported, according to school data.

"We had a four year low of acts of violence," said Superintendent of Schools David Trethaway.

The district recently presented the data, which was culled from standard reports that each school system throughout the state must complete.

"There are forms to fill out every time there is an act of violence or vandalism," Trethaway said. 

Weapons cases were up from the previous year because students brought prohibited items to school, though. Four cases were reported at both Manchester and schools. 

All of the eight weapons offenses last year were considered "Possession of Other Weapon," which Trethaway said were cases of students inadvertently bringing banned items to school even though they had no intention of using the items for violence. 

The previous four years have been low for weapons — all cases have been "Possession of Other Weapon." There was one instance in 2006-7, and three each year for 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10.

Banned items brought into schools included needle nose pliers, pocket knives and a knife used for cutting a salad in the cafeteria. 

"Maybe they did know, maybe they didn't know, but the bottom line is you can't have that in school," Trethaway said. "None of them were used in a fight."

"Unfortunately when you take them out or show them around, someone can be hurt with that, so that's considered a weapon In each case at the middle school, no one was using them in a threatening manner," he said.

Vandalism incidents were about on-par with previous years, though the district did not have to pay for repairs.

"The cases we had were writing on walls, things without much cost," Trethaway said.

Violence Statistics Breakdown

Changes to bullying laws have created an influx in the number of those incidents recorded this year as the definitions of harassment have changed. 

"Last year we had five cases," Trethaway said. "This month, I can tell you we've had 17 or 18 cases. It's because we have an entirely different policy."

Many of the issues that are now classified as bullying were not reported in years past, though they were still addressed by staff, Trethaway said. 

The principals of each school reported that they have been working to teach children how to respect one another in efforts to thwart violence and bullying.

Elementary school students were asked to take pledges to be respectful, taught lessons by guidence counsellors and attended .

"I think the kids are taking it very seriously and working through these problems to make the schools a safe place," said principal Marge Stevens. 

High school students recently undertook a mutual respect initiative, were educated students on the proper use of social media like Facebook and were asked to take anti-violence pledges.

"It's been a school-wide effort," said principal Alexander George. "Lots of good stuff."

As part of new legislation, Trethaway said that he now reviews every report of bullying. The superintendent said that he has seen a pattern begin to emerge, as students understand and identify inappropriate conduct. 

"If something is happening to someone else, they're not afraid to stand up and say, 'no, that's wrong,'" he said. 

Substance Abuse

The number of recorded substance abuse incidents increased from two cases in 2009-10 to nine in 2010-11, the highest in the past four years.

"Nine students is not a lot," Trethaway said. "In reality, I know that there were more than two students (abusing substances) last year. These are the people that we catch, as far as possession."

Trethaway said that, if substance abuse is occurring, at least these students can receive counselling.

"That's where you hope you find the students that have the possession and find the students that are using drugs and get them the counselling so it doesn't happen again," he said. "Although it jumped from two to nine, I'm not overly upset because I know that there were probably other students who didn't get the help that we needed to get them."

No drug distribution was reported, as Trethaway said that administrators are "very vigilant." 

"I think that nine is a fair assessment of a high school with 1,100-1,200 students," he said. 

The full statistics are available on the district's website.