Violence and vandalism in the WW-P School District last year remained at virtually the same level as the previous year, with only two more incidents than reported in 2008-’09.
But the major difference was the cost of repairs the district incurred as a result of that vandalism — specifically as a result of one incident at the end of the school year that, alone, cost the district about $20,000.
The board reviewed this data and unanimously accepted the annual violence and vandalism report after a public hearing on October 13.
According to the data, there were 20 incidents of violence reported last year, up from 16 in the 2007-’08 school year. The number of vandalism incidents rose from 11 to 14. The number of weapons incidents dropped from 6 to 5, and the number of substance abuse incidents dropped from 14 to 11.
In 2007-’08, the cost of vandalism to the district was $160, but that jumped to a total of $25,750 last year. Seven South students were arrested in connection with the widespread vandalism at the school overnight on May 15.
In that incident, the students broke into the school and damaged numerous desks with attached chairs, full-sized desks, and tables. In addition, several bleachers were thrown partially into the school’s pool. All seven of the students were charged with burglary and criminal mischief. At the June 9 school board meeting, the school board approved the disposal of the damaged property, which included desks, chairs, shelves, room dividers, HVAC grills, carts, and file cabinets.
According to the violence and vandalism report, school officials also had to take more action last year by notifying police (without filing complaints) 13 times, up from 10 the year before. Officials notified police and had complaints filed 10 times last year, up from nine the year before. There were no incidents of expulsion last year or the year before, and there were no incidents in 2008-’09 that required officials to remove a student to an alternative program, down from one incident the prior year.
The number of victims nearly doubled, from 11 victims in 2007-’08 to 20 victims last year. None of the victims were non-students or students from another district in either year. However, 12 of the victims were regular education students last year, up from five the year before. Five victims were students with a disability, up from four the previous year.
The district also reported 55 offenders, up from 53 the year before. In 2007-’08, 33 of the offenders were regular education students. This remained nearly the same last year, with 34 reported as being regular education students. Students with a disability made up 21 of the offenders, relatively the same in comparison to the 20 who were offenders in 2007-’08.
David Aderhold, assistant superintendent of pupil services and planning, described the in-district activities officials were conducting to recognize School Violence and Vandalism Awareness Week, including holding conflict resolution discussions at the K-3 level; conducting classroom group discussions regarding anti-violence and bullying at the 4-5 grade level; holding developmental guidance groups to cover topics like stress management, bullying, and security at the 6-8 level; and holding meetings with student council and the PTSA about school violence prevention and holding peer leadership meetings at the 9-12 level.
Aderhold also suggested that the current administrative focus should be on reviewing the student behavior code, utilization of the Student Activities Contract, reviewing the harassment, intimidation, and bullying policy, and reviewing the district’s crisis plan.
He said the board should look at the policies and get some “teeth behind the student contract,” to implement more deterrents.
