Position Statements Regarding

Senate Bill 231

"This legislation is not directed at minor or fairly harmless pranks or rhetoric. It is focused on serious bullying actions which have the potential for dangerous consequences to those involved and those who witness the behavior. The bill provides direction for combating the problem without micromanaging school personnel."

--Senator Teresa Lubbers (SD 30); Co-Author, SB 231

"We, as educators, spend a great deal of time and effort working with our students on academics. Unfortunately, activities--such as bullying--get in the way of the educational process. Hopefully, this legislation will enable us to effectively deal with this problem, so we can maintain a positive learning environment."

--Senator Connie Sipes (SD 46); Co-Author, SB 231

"Children need to feel safe when in school. Anything that has a negative impact on learning needs to be addressed and that's what we're trying to accomplish with SB 231."

--Senator Earline Rogers (SD 3); Co-Author, SB 231

"This initiative is an excellent idea and a good solution to a silent problem that has been growing in our schools. Senate Bill 231 begins the training needed to help students understand the diversity in our schools and that we will not accept behavior that prohibits this understanding."

--State Representative Sue Scholer (HD 26)

"Bullying is a problem that is on the rise in school systems across Indiana. It is my hope that this legislation will serve as a starting point, not only in putting a stop to this type of behavior, but also in understanding the kinds of situations that cause someone to become a bully, and seeing what can be done to intervene and help our students."

--State Representative Greg Porter (HD 96)

"This proposed amendment, recognizing the seriousness of bullying in schools, represents a landmark in Indiana's quest for safe schools. By providing educational outreach and training in identifying and addressing bullying, this legislation provides an important tool for teachers and administrators who seek to provide the safest possible schools for Indiana's students."

--Dr. Russell Skiba, Assoc. Professor, IU-Bloomington, Counseling and Educational Psychology, and the director of the Safe and Responsive Schools Project

"As the parent representative to the Indiana School Safety Specialist Advisory Group, I fully support the proposed legislation with regard to the issues of school safety and specifically the issue with regard to addressing bullying.

As reflected in the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. DOE Safe School Initiative, although not the single issue, bullying was a contributing factor in the majority of incidents relating to school violence. Addressing this issue should also provide for a more positive learning environment for all our students."

--Senior Special Agent Scott F. Eales; U.S. Secret Service (Retired)

"Our children deserve the chance to attend schools in an environment free of harassment. Many people in and out of the education field are working toward that goal."

--Chief Steve Garner; Chief of School Police, IPS

"The Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) supports SB 231 as a reasonable and common sense legislative initiative to identify, prevent, and intervene in student bullying in and around Indiana's public schools."

--Judith Briganti; President, ISTA

"This is a concern in each and every Indiana school. Any legislation that would assist in controlling and/or preventing bullying would be beneficial to all Indiana schools."

--Dr. Steven Yager; Superintendent, Northwest Allen County Schools

"Bullying contributes to absenteeism, loss of interest in school, and increases dropout rates. Schools must provide an environment where students feel safe so learning can be maximized."

--Dr. Kathy Steele; Superintendent, Crawfordsville Community Schools

"Our classroom teachers and others with direct supervision of students have not received the proper training...With the DOE providing training and resources, hopefully, Indiana's schools will then change to cultures where bullying is not seen as cool, parents will know what warning signs to look for, kids will stand up for each other, and teachers will have been trained to intervene."

--Former Educator, Indianapolis

"Thank you for voicing this, for it has been too long since someone has! Let me know what I can do as a parent to help get this bill passed."

--Parent, South Bend

"If they had [witnessed a child being bullied], this would be embraced as a top priority. We need education for teachers on bullying activities and what they can do to build a school climate where...children can learn in a safe and secure environment."

--Parent, Jasonville

"The issue of bullying in school is not new...My wife and I strongly believe that something must be done. We also believe that much of school violence (Columbine, etc.) might be curbed if students could respect one another and if bullies were controlled. We strongly urge you to redouble your efforts and inform anyone with doubts that this issue is one of the greatest challenges facing the education system."

--Parent, Indianapolis

"I am writing this note as a parent greatly concerned by our public schools' current handling of bullying and kid violence. As my eldest son's high school began to function more as a security compound rather than an institution that nurtured in our young people the love of learning, it seemed important somehow to go beyond the menu of punishments for bullying and violence to the motivation of the behavior itself. Thank you for addressing the issue of bullying within our schools. Perhaps our schools can return to a place where our children go to grow rather than our schools being simply buildings guarded by rules and regulations to prevent physical or emotional harm to our kids while they are there."

--Parent, Terre Haute

"The bullying legislation hits very close to home. In short, we had three different incidents that would last approximately two to three months. ...This legislation is a wonderful start. BUT, schools must practice what they preach!"

--Parent, Batesville

"I [would like to] express my appreciation for you pushing the initiative to address bullying. This is a very real problem and many schools, administrators, teachers, and parents seem unable to take a stand against it. I salute your efforts."

--Parent, Indianapolis