State steps up efforts to roll out the new bullying law

Minnesota's new antibullying effort pulled Bill Mack out of retirement near Grand Rapids.

A former principal who had witnessed how harassment and abuse can harm children, Mack is now the head of the state's new antibullying effort.

"I had put in 30 years and I thought it was time to exit stage left, so I did that," Mack said. "But this was an incredible opportunity."

Mack is the head of the School Safety and Technical Assistance Center. He will play a defining role in guiding Minnesota in a new and uncertain antibullying effort, which advocates say is a vast improvement over an old law widely seen as among the weakest in the nation.

Last week, the issue of bullying was thrust back in the spotlight as the Minnesota State High School League considered a policy that would allow transgender athletes to play on a team of their chosen gender identity. Several transgender people testified about harassment they endured in school.

Antibullying advocates say that is actually a positive sign, because it shows that transgender students felt comfortable speaking in support of the proposed policy. They hoped that comfort level was spawned from the tough conversations the measure provoked at the Capitol.

"From our perspective, one thing we see changing is the social paradigm around bullying," said Julie Hertzog, director of PACER's Bloomington-based National Bullying Prevention Center. "No longer is silence surrounding the issue. People are finally talking about bullying."

Opponents were able to exempt private and religious schools before the measure became law.

"Everyone wants to prevent bullying in schools, but this bill has been the only approach to addressing bullying that's being given any real consideration, despite the fact that it's never been tested anywhere," said Autumn Leva with the Minnesota Family Council, an organization that opposed the antibullying measure at the Capitol. "If we really want to do the right thing for our kids, shouldn't we be taking a fair look at all the options, rather than just one?"

The new Safe and Supportive Schools Act gives local districts guidance and support to adopt clear and enforceable school policies to help protect children from bullying.

Under the law, schools that don't want to work with the School Safety and Technical Assistance Center don't have to. And Mack has no authority to impose sanctions on schools that are not following the law.

"I cannot come out to a school and say, "Madam Superintendent, Where's your policy on bullying?' " said Mack, who spent most of his career in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district. "My job is to provide schools with the resources, support and assistance that the Safe and Supportive Schools Act requires."

Already, Mack has fielded a few dozen phone calls from school districts with questions about the new law and what it requires them to do.

The center's work will be overseen by a 23-person council, which met for the first time in September.

Its first significant responsibility will be coming up with a state bullying policy that adheres to the new law. Most schools already have adopted a policy, but will be free to adopt the state policy once it's finished, likely in November.

One of the council's members is Jake Ross, a 12-year-old from Forest Lake who has become an antibullying advocate. Ross spoke at the ceremony when Gov. Mark Dayton signed the measure into law and made a plea for compassion for children who have been bullied.

"It's a big honor to be on the council," said Jake, who will serve on a subcommittee that approves a state policy.

"Absolutely kids feel safer," Dibble said. "But the proof will be in the doing. Kids are great barometers for what's working and what's not. They won't suffer the BSers and blowhards. They will tell us what's going on."

Many school officials say the new bullying law won't require them to do more than they're already doing.

Perhaps nowhere is that more evident than in Anoka-Hennepin, a school district thrust into the national spotlight three years ago after a string of student suicides, some of which were connected to bullying. Since then, the district has amped up its antibullying efforts.

Recently, the Bush Foundation approved a $200,000 grant proposal from the district to provide additional training to middle and high school students.

That program spun off a successful effort at Blaine High School to train student leaders — last year it was members of the National Honor Society — to work with their peers.

Advocacy groups also are continuing a push to make sure students feel safe at school.

Later in October, OutFront Minnesota will launch a new campaign to help schools, community organizations and other groups form gay-straight alliance school organizations, should they want to do so.

Jean Heyer, communications director for OutFront Minnesota, said members also are talking to students about the new measure.

"We want to make sure kids understand that they're protected under the law now," she said. "Too many times we heard students say, 'It never crossed my mind that I could have talked to the adults in my school.' "