Huntington Beach Union Bonnie Castrey Duane Dishno High School District Susan Henry Kathleen Iverson*

Not all Orange County schools use the same technology, procedures and codes to record bullying or harassment incidents. Response to Finding 1: The District agrees partially with this finding. The District agrees that not all Orange County schools use the same technology and procedures to record bullying or harassment incidents. Different districts use different databases and internal procedures to track bullying complaints. With regard to the codes used to record bullying or harassment incidents, prior to July 1, 2012, Education Code section 48900(r) defined bullying by reference to sexual harassment (Education Code section 48900.2), hate violence (Education Code section 48900.3), and harassment, threats and intimidation (Education Code section 48900.4). The law did not contain a stand-alone definition of bullying. However, as of July 1, 2012, Education Code section 48900(r) provides a stand-alone definition of the term "bullying." (AB 1156.) School districts throughout California are bound by this statute. The Orange County Superintendent of Schools has been directed to respond to Recommendations 4 and 5. Our mission is to maximize learning for every student by providing an educational environment in which students thrive and become creative, responsible, and collaborative critical thinkers prepared for college, career and global citizenship. M The Honorable Thomas J. Borris September 20, 2012

New legislation takes effect July 1, 2012, and broadens the definition of "Bullying." Response to Finding 2: The District agrees that AB 1156 provides a broader definition of "bullying" than was contained in prior law.

Education Code section 234.1 requiring posting of anti-bullying/anti-harassment policies in prescribed areas was not evident in all schools visited. Response to Finding 3: The District cannot comment on what policies are posted in all schools throughout Orange County, but can respond only on behalf of the District itself.

Based on witness testimony, confidentiality was not maintained in a bullying incident as prescribed in California Education Code section 234.1 Response to Finding 4: The Grand Jury report does not contain sufficient information to enable the District to respond to this finding nor does it identify which school district was involved in the alleged breach of confidentiality; therefore, the District disagrees wholly with this finding.