HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-11 PACKET 11.b.Ken Smith
From: Hernandez, Mario (MDHR) [mario.hernandez @state.mn.us]
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2012 11:55 AM
To: Ken Smith
Subject: Public input sought by Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying
April 9, 2012
Dear Colleague
The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) is one of the organizations appointed to the Task Force on the
Prevention of School Bullying. We are encouraging our colleagues and community partners to become engaged in the
work of the task force.
The Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying was created by executive order in February 2012. The task force will
examine current trends in bullying, intimidation and harassment in Minnesota schools and will review existing related
laws and regulations. From this review and input from experts on the topic, the task force will define bullying,
harassment and intimidation and then provide policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. The task force
is scheduled to meet through July 2012.
Here's how you can engage with the work of the task force:
• Provide public comments to the task force on the issue of school bullying.
• Encourage others to provide their comments to the task force.
Attend task force meetings. Meetings are open to the public and tentatively scheduled to be held at the MN
Department of Education (MDE).
Help turn out community members to listening sessions. The MDE is tentatively planning to host a few listening
sessions in different communities across the state. These sessions will be open to the public.
We want to make sure that at minimum you know how you or your colleagues can provide comments, suggestions or
ideas to the task force. You can provide your comments by:
1. Speaking at a task force meeting: The last 15 minutes of the task force's meetings on April 16`", May 21 ", and
June 18` will be set aside for public comments. You can provide your comments during this time.
2. Speaking at listening sessions: Listening sessions are tentatively planned for Bemidji, Rochester, and St. Cloud.
Additional communities are being considered. There will be a time set aside during these sessions when
participants can provide their comments. (Note: The location of the listening sessions is one of the agenda items
for the task force's April 16`" meeting.)
3. Submit comments in writing: Written comments can be submitted to the task force co- chairs or the lead MDE
staff person, Rose Hermodson, at rose.hermodson @state.mn.us
We hope to provide a couple more updates to you on the work of this task force. You are highly encouraged to
bookmark the Task Force on Prevention of School Bullying web page on MDE's web site and use that web page as your
source for updates on meeting agendas, handouts, task force meeting times, and other relevant information.
The next meeting of the task force is scheduled for April 16, 2012, at the MDE, Conference Center A, Room 13, 1500
Highway 36 West, Roseville, MN. If you are interested in attending any of the meetings or providing public comments
at the meetings, please contact Rose Hermodson at rose.hermodson @state.mn.us
Best regards,
Mario A. Hernandez
Legislative and Community Affairs
PH: 651.539.1093
CELL: 651.285.0245
FAX: 651.797.1698
Em: mario hernandez state.mnMs
www humanrights.state . mn.us
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Minnescrta Department of
1
The Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying has been created to examine the state of bullying,
harassment and intimidation in Minnesota schools, including existing laws and regulations.
The Task Force will define bullying, harassment and intimidation and then provide recommendations
for policy initiatives to the Governor and the Legislature, based on its study and analysis of best
practices and policies, existing statutes and policies, and input from experts. A member list, meeting
schedule, and executive summary of the Task Force will be posted on Monday, March 19, 2012.
The first meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 19, 2012, from 1 p.mA p.m., at the Minnesota
Department of Education Conference Center A, Room 13. See the link at the bottom of this page for
directions.
Document Download:
. Task Force Meeting Schedule
. 3 -19 -12 Model Harassmen an d Viole Preven Polite
. 3 -19 12 Safe Schools Lem
3 -19 -12 School Related Sta tutes
. 3 -19-12 Summary o Term
. 3 -19 -12 Executi Order Prese ntation
Executive Order
. Member List
http: / /www. education. state. mn. us /MDE/ Welcome /AdvBCT /PrevSchBully /index.html 3/29/2012
This document is made available electronically by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library as part of an
ongoing digital archiving project. http: / /www.leg. state. mn. us /Irl /execorders /execorders.asp
ST ` 1,
ExF.cUTIvE DEPARTMENT
E+ stablishintg the Governor's Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying;
Rescinding Executive Order 11 -33
f, Mari; Dayton, {governor of the State of Minnesota, by virtue of the authority vested in me
by the Constitution and applicable statutes, do hereby issue this Executive Order:
Whereas, Minnesotans place a high value on education, recognizing that our children are key to
future success, economic vitality; social harmony, and quality of life in our State: and
Whereas, children depend upon adults, upon their attitudes and actions, and upon the Laws of the
State to protect them; and
Whereas, it is a high priority of this administration to ensure that every Minnesota school
provides a safe and welcoming environment, where every child is accepted and valued as he or
she is, so that each can thrive and learn; arid
Whereas, the State has a strong public interest in the safety and well -being of all students in
Minnesota schools; and
Whereas, bullying, intimidation harassment and violence cause very serious and long- lasting
damage to the victims and to the entire community; and
Whereas, great success has beet, achieved in preventing bullying, intimidation and harassment
when effective leadership, tracking, enforcement, training, communication, accountability and
resource systems are put into place, and
Whereas, parents, teachers, administrators and other responsible adults report that knowledge
capacity, leadership. support and resources are valuable tools in their efforts to respond to and
prevent bullying, intimidation and harassment; and
Now, Therefore, I hereby order that:
1. The Governor's Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying is created, under
Minnesota Statutes, Section 15.0593, to examine the state of bullying, harassment and
intimidation in Minnesota, including existing laws and regulations, and to advise the
Governor's Office and the Legislature on effective and comprehensive policies to ensure
the safety of all students in Minnesota schools;
2. The Task Force shall consist of no more than 15 members, appointed as follows:
a, The Commissioner ofthe hMimresota Department of Education, and the
Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights,
b. Four members from the Minnesota State Legislature, one appointed by the Senate
Majority Leader, one appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, one appointed by
the Speaker of the House and one appointed by the house Minority leader;
c, The Governor will appoint up to nine additional members_ who shall serve at the
pleasure of the Governor, and may include individuals with backgrounds and
expertise in health professions, pediatrics, psychology or psychiatry; with
expertise or special knowledge of legal policy; with experience as advocates for
students who have been subjected to bullying; and with teaching or school
administration careers.
d. At the Task Force's first meeting. its members will elect one of them to serve as
their chair,
3. The purpose of the Task Force is to:
a. Study best practices and policies from available literature and experts;
b. Analyze existing statutes and policies, resources, reported levels of bullying, and
consequences of bullying, intimidation and harassment:
c. Solicit and obtain input from the public, experts, professionals, and victims of
bullying, intimidation and harassment;
d. Clearly define bullying, harassment and intimidation;
e. Provide recommendations for policy initiatives to the Governor and the
Legislature based upon its findings,
4, The Task Force will provide recommendations and convey its findings in a report to the
Governor's Office, the Legislature, and the public by August 1, 2012.
The Commissioner of Education will provide general administrative and technical
support to the task force.
The Task Force will make its meetings open to the public and provide an opportunity for
public comment.
Executive Order 11 -33 is rescinded.
Under Minnesota Statutes 2011 § 4.035, subdivision 2, this Executive Order is effective 15 days
after publication in the State Register and filing with the Secretary of State and shall remain in
effect until rescinded by proper authority or it expires in accordance with Minnesota Statutes
2011 § 4.035, subdivision 3.
In Testimony Whereof I have set my hand on February 21, 2012.
Piled According to Law;
Mark Ritchie
Secretary of State