'Dramatic Drop' In Bullying, Harassment Incidents Reported At Bridgewater-Raritan Schools

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The school climate is improving at Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Schools as harassment, intimidation, and bullying(HIB) incidents declined last year, according to a recent Student Safety Data Report.

Superintendent Robert Beers shared the Student Safety Data Report for Period 1 (which spans from July to Dec. 31, 2024) at the Tuesday Board of Education meeting.

Beers noted that the report "really paints a fairly positive picture for the district."

"I think all these reports demonstrate progress made by the district related to student conduct and school safety," said Beers.

For comparison:

• 2024 - 34 incidents
• 2023 - 65 incidents
• 2022 - 54 incidents

"That's a year-over-year decline of 47.7 percent," said Beers.

The district also saw a decline in HIB incidents.

• 2024 - 14 alleged
• 2023 - 20 alleged

"That is a year-over-year decline of 30 percent," said Beers.

Additionally, Beers noted that the district really "saw quite a dramatic drop" in confirmed HIB incidents.

• 9 reported in 2024
• 34 reported in 2023
• 26 reported in 2022

Beers noted that it is a year-over-year decline of 73.5 percent.

"We are hoping that this is a trend, but we really have to wait until next year to see if it's a lasting trend or some type of aberration," said Beers.

The district began a major undertaking to invest in school climate over the past four years.

"We knew coming back from COVID that we had some issues related to student conduct, and we certainly had to get a handle on it," said Beers.

To address the issues, the district implemented a character education program in grades kindergarten through eighth grade.

The district also updated its code of conduct.

"It's important we are consistent that when there is an action, there is a consequence," said Beers.

Board member Jennifer Loughran asked what changes in the code of conduct were made to address HIB issues.

"One that we were pretty adamant about… a year or 2 years ago... When we had a rash of issues specific to racially charged language, anti-Semitic comments, muslim comments, etc., we made sure that if you are directing this type of language toward another student, there is a specific consequence for that, and it's not a slap on the wrist," said Beers.

Consequences include getting parents involved.

"And any acts of physical aggression, we made sure we were stricter on because I think we can all agree we can't have schools with violence. Once it spills over, we have to intervene in a very direct way. And it's not just suspension, it's counseling supports, etc., to get at some of these anger issues that affect the student," said Beers.

The district also revamped its Bright program that helps struggling students with structured learning labs. The Bright program is an alternative program for students who are at risk of not graduating.

Beers attributed the success of the Bright program with the reason why the district's graduation rate is higher. For the third year in a row, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School student graduation rates have increased to now 97 percent.

"When kids are struggling academically, many times poor behaviour follows. We have to get a grasp on that. Deliver services, support kids, and really help them see the positives that can come out of investments in their education and behaving a certain way," said Beers.

"I want to commend the district on addressing the issues with at-risk students because I think doing that from within only strengthens the community and also builds up their confidence. And like you said can lead to solving some of these disciplinary issues," said Loughran.

Beers noted that while the district has made progress, work hasn’t stopped.

"Plenty of reasonable people will say nine HIBs for half a year is too many, and I would agree with that. And 24 incidents of serious disciplinary matters are too many, and once more, I do agree," said Beers. "We want to continue to work and deliver support and programs to kids - both perpetrators and victims - to really improve school climate."

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.