School safety on the rise

Violence, vandalism and illegal substance use in schools are on the decline statewide, though locally change is not so apparent, according to figures released this week by the New Jersey Department of Education.

"I think it is important to review the data, to revisit our code of conduct and student values," Robert Gratz, superintendent of the Hackettstown School District, said about the usefulness of the report.

"I do think there are benefits, but I think it needs to be looked at longitudinally over a period of a couple of years," he continued.

The annual survey documents the 2006-07 school year. Within the Phillipsburg School District, incidents of substance abuse nearly quadrupled, to 11 from three in 2005-06, and violence rose slightly, while vandalism reports were nearly cut in half. The district, the largest in the county, reported the most incidents.

Security Director Bill Merrick referred questions Tuesday to Superintendent Mark B. Miller, who began his tenure Tuesday. Miller declined to comment until he reviewed the report.

Incidents down 1 percent across New Jersey

State Education Department spokesman Rich Vespucci called the statewide decline, about 1 percent from 2005-06 through 2006-07, the result of hard work.

"We've been very fortunate to have such dedicated people at the local level," he said Tuesday.

Vespucci said a few incidents were on the rise throughout the state, including bullying and school threats. It is not clear whether bullying is actually on the rise, he said, or the numbers reflect higher sensitivity on the topic.

"Its effects aren't as obvious as broken windows in a parked school bus, but the effects can be felt for a lifetime," Vespucci said of bullying.

Bomb threat incidents have also increased. Vespucci said he hopes school boards take the incidents seriously because they are not, as perpetrators may believe, "victimless pranks."

Hackettstown schools reported the county's highest number of substance abuse incidents -- 13 -- in 2006-07, as well as a sharp increase in violence reports with 21 over the previous year's three incidents.

Gratz said the district has generally trended downward with its reports, especially regarding substance abuse, which had 28 reported cases two years ago. The district tests students suspected of using drugs but for the past six years has also instituted a policy that allows random testing of students in extracurricular activities.

"I think the message is getting out about what is and isn't acceptable," Gratz said. He also said the substance abuse reports held steady at 13 in the 2007-08 school year, which is included in data he plans to present to the school board next month.

Students have help in steering clear of trouble

Bill Horn, director of School-Based Youth Services, said creating a "positive sense of belonging" can steer at-risk students away from trouble.

Operating out of the Phillipsburg Armory, 441 Heckman St., the organization offers students a number of counseling options, tutoring and recreational opportunities. Horn estimates 1,300 to 1,400 middle and high school students take advantage of the program yearly.

"We teach them responsibility and accountability," he said Tuesday. "We provide them with a safe place to talk about whatever it is they want to talk about."

Many graduates take the time to stop back and thank Horn and his colleagues for helping them make the right choices, he said.