BY SHERI McWHIRTER
smcwhirter@record-eagle.com
TRAVERSE CITY — Pete Olson thinks it's a good idea for all Michigan schools to have anti-bullying policies to protect students.
Olson is principal at the senior high in Benzonia, part of Benzie County Central Schools. The school is among those that already have anti-bullying policies, something state lawmakers could mandate.
"School employees are obligated to deter aggressive behavior, whether verbal, physical or psychological," Olson said.
That covers everything from name-calling to physical confrontations, he said.
The Democrat-led Michigan House Education Committee approved an anti-bullying bill Thursday by a 16-3 vote. The legislation aimed at protecting students from harassment next goes to the House for a vote.
Michigan lawmakers introduced similar measures for nearly a decade without any gaining final approval and becoming state law. Supporters say the pending bills were altered and have a better chance at passage this year.
Schools would be asked to include measures to investigate bullying complaints and legislation supporters point to several bullying-related suicides that happened in Michigan in the past decade.
Olson said it's no longer acceptable to tolerate "initiation" or other related bullying activities in schools, something that wasn't unheard of in the past. It used to be part of teen socialization, but now is viewed as harassment.
"Times have changed and you have to change with the times and adjust," Olson said.
Another local school official agrees anti-bullying policies are necessary.
"They help us maintain a safe, healthy and orderly environment in our schools. That is the No. 1 correlate of an effective school," said Jim Leyndyke, principal at Traverse City's Central High School.
He said students know bullying is unacceptable, but it's a good idea for all Michigan schools to have policies that forbid the behavior.
"Though I would be surprised if you could find one that doesn't have one already," Leyndyke said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
