Superintendent John told the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee on March 20 that the district has seen a reduction in substantiated discriminatory harassment and bullying incidents and intends to expand prevention efforts by training cohorts of students as peer active-bystanders and introducing a "banter versus bullying" lesson across grades 4 through 12.

The superintendent said the district's reporting shows a change in frequency: "As of March, there were 23 substantiated acts of discriminatory harassment or bullying in the district. So far this year, there have been 10. The frequency has been cut in half, which is progress." He described a plan to pilot or roll out a lesson sourced from a British anti-bullying program that helps students distinguish between joking and harmful behavior; principals will review lesson plans with staff and teachers will deliver the material in advisories or class meetings.

The superintendent also reported on plans to train student advisors to serve as peer active-bystanders so students hear prevention messages from peers as well as adults. He encouraged community members interested in advising peer groups to contact the superintendents office.

On transportation, the superintendent said the district is working with LPVEC staff to resolve timing conflicts in the new three-tier bell schedule. The preliminary schedules generated buses arriving roughly 20 minutes after school ended at some levels, which would leave students unsupervised. Possible fixes under discussion include ordering tiers so shorter days start earlier (giving buses more time to complete runs) or combining multiple grade levels on the same bus runs; the second option would require fewer students to opt into district transportation, which the district has not historically scheduled for specific opt-outs. The superintendent said he will return with additional options and a recommended plan at an upcoming meeting so families and staff can finalize arrangements.

Committee members and staff noted related operational details: high school bus routes were observed to be about two-thirds empty on some runs; middle school and elementary day-length differences contribute to scheduling constraints; the district will consider both routing and scheduling changes.

Committee members thanked district staff for the prevention work and requested more information on implementation timing for the transportation changes.