WESTOVER — By a 3-2 vote the Somerset County Board of Education on first reader accepted the draft of an amended policy on student bullying, harassment and intimidation.

Deputy Superintendent Tom Davis said Policy 600-34 was cross-referenced with a model policy submitted by the Maryland State Department of Education, and additions, deletions and other changes were made accordingly.

There were also updates made to the administrative procedures, and the forms on reporting these violations. Various sections in the current policy are proposed to be moved to administrative procedures.

The policy covers not just in-person acts but when there is bullying or harassment over electronic devices such as cell phones and computers. It can be reported whether it occurs on school property or off, and Somerset County Public Schools will “Investigate and intervene, as safety permits, quickly and appropriately if a student complains that he/she is currently the target of bullying, harassment, or intimidation.”

Administratively, once a report is filed, administrators have two school days to investigate. The parent or guardian of the targeted student must be notified within three business days, while the parent or guardian of the alleged perpetrator “must be notified within five business days.”

Separate conferences with the in dividuals involved are to be held within two weeks after the investigation to determine if there is further need for intervention or supports. Another conference with the targeted student will be held four weeks later to determine if the actions have ceased.

If what is occurred is a delinquent act the appropriate law enforcement agency will also be advised.

Mr. Davis said COMAR requires the bullying policy to be revised every five years, and Somerset County’s was last updated in July 2019. It had been tabled at the February meeting. Voting against the first reader at the March meeting were board members Caleb Shores and Bill McInturff.

The policy could be up for second reader as soon as the April  19 meeting.