BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Board of Education is looking at data on bullying in the district. Some board members are challenging it, calling it inaccurate.
"That number is likely a very low representation of all of the bullying and harassment that's occurring in our schools district-wide," BPS board member Larry Scott said.
Scott doesn't buy it. He and other board members dispute the district's report on bullying last school year. There were 43 cases.
"What I think was happening is we were only tracking those incidents that were reported via online, the reporting system, and the many cases that were being reported in school by staff were being put in the Infinite Campus system but weren't properly being coded as a DASA type of incident," Scott said.
Infinite Campus is an online portal that tracks students' data like grades and attendance. The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) is supposed to make school grounds free of discrimination and harassment.
However, Scott says the data is flawed, which can leave kids without options for help. He says that can lead to violence.
"It's not just something that is a problem in our urban school districts, where we mostly have students of color. It's everywhere. It's everywhere. But we can't have a tendency to target our inner city and urban youth and youth of color when this comes up as an issue," Scott said.
The Buffalo shool board is taking steps to protect kids.
"It's uncomfortable when you are dealing with bullying and harassment. It's not comfortable. Our teachers and administrators went to school to educate children, to teach, to ensure that there is teaching and learning," Scott said.
Dr. Tonja Williams sent some school principals to the University at Buffalo to learn more about the signals of bullying. She also wants all staff within the district to take a mandatory online bullying course and get certified.
On the other hand, board member Larry Scott is working to get the reports to the state to have a better reflection on the real numbers.
However, Scott says, "It can't just be schools and our staff that are addressing all these needs. Parents, family, families need to assist us."