GOWANDA — Bullying, though nothing new, has certainly taken on new forms, as Gowanda Middle School Principal Todd Miklas knows all too well. At a recent board of education meeting, Miklas explained that while school bus bullying is a problem, cyber bullying — regardless of where or when it takes place — also creates issues that administrators must deal with. There is, however, a protocol in place and the same technology students sometimes use to harass another is also available to report such behaviors under the Dignity for All Students Act.

In his presentation to the school board, Miklas explained that bullying seems to peak in middle school. During these years, Miklas explained, students’ friendships can change quickly, as students form grouping attachments; behaviors often improve in eighth grade before the transition to high school.

Miklas pointed out that on the school’s website, pursuant to the Dignity for All Students Act, is an online form for students to report incidents of bullying, anonymously or not. These reports are received by Miklas, the assistant principal and the guidance department, who document and investigate each report. Interestingly, “There are only two times where a referral came in that way since 2017,” Miklas said.

“What commonly happens is that students will come to a teacher and relay the information. Maybe three to five times a year, I’ll hear from a parent,” Miklas added. “Most commonly, it’s a staff member that picks up on something, whether in the cafeteria, on the bus or in the classroom.”

The middle school principal emphasized “the urgency of immediacy.” He explained, “In any instant where a student is upset or distraught or concerned, it’s immediately handled by myself and the counselors.”

Miklas said students who are potentially involved are separated and counselors take their statements. Statements are also received from school monitors, bus drivers or teachers, and Miklas also contacts students’ families to alert them of the concern. “We do look at our cameras if they can identify where something happened,” Miklas said. “When it’s one student’s word against the other’s, we will turn to the cameras and use them as best as possible.”

Miklas explained to the school board that his priority is identifying the “root cause” of the situation to end the bullying pattern. If necessary, Miklas issues a “cease and desist” where the students involved have no communication with each other. Progressive consequences are explored if this is ineffective, he explained. Such consequences include a three day suspension, a five day out-of-school suspension and a superintendent’s hearing that could result in long-term suspension.

“I just want to say that many of these are very situational,” Miklas told board members. “As much as I want to tell you that this is a standard routine, which it is and that’s the standard, really it’s a case by case.”

Board members Lynn Guzzetta and Janet Vogtli expressed concern over reports of school bus bullying. Vogtli said, “When a bus driver moves a child because there’s a problem, but nothing is followed up, who does he (the driver) report to? This leaves the bully free to roam but moves the victim.”

Guzzetta agreed: “I’ve heard from quite a few people who say that the kid who’s bullied is always moved up front. That’s crazy.”

Miklas explained that he and other administrators have talked to the bus drivers, as a group, to explain how to report a situation, and that many drivers have the building principals’ cell phone numbers and contact them directly. Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson added, “Minor discipline issues are handled by the bus driver. When it gets beyond what they can handle or have done, then they write the discipline referral.”

Elementary School Principal Carrie Dzierba weighed in on the school bus bullying issue. “The buses are probably the biggest portion of the discipline that we deal with,” she explained. “It’s an unstructured environment. They’re managed well throughout the school day, but when they get on a bus, they are let loose.”

Board President Cindy Sutherland asked Miklas about another form of bullying. “With the internet now, a lot of the bullying can take place outside of school. You don’t respond to that, do you?”

“We do,” Miklas replied. “The way we see it, the social media piece impacts our school day. Part of the Dignity for All Students Act is that. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, videos — we still involve ourselves in that way.”

Sutherland inquired about bullying incidents that take place off campus. “We still take it on,” said Miklas. “It takes on a life of its own at school. Social media has exacerbated that. We still have to handle it. Overall, we’ve got great kids compared to what I’ve seen at other schools and districts. We really do.”