District Compelled to Act on Bullying After Rutgers Fiasco

West Morris Regional school board members approved a measure Monday night that would bring “Your Personal Coach LLC,” to the district to train coaches in bullying prevention and awareness.

The company is to “provide three HIB training presentations to district coaches that will address bullying in sports, various issues related to this area, and new High School Sportsmanship Standards set forth by the NJSIAA,” according to the school board’s agenda.

Though the measure was passed, there was considerable debate on the issue, fronted by Chester Township member, Marcia Asdal.

“We’re going outside (the district) for this training, why?” she asked. “Is it effective? Why’d we decide to do this?”

In responding to Asdal’s questions, Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast said that through communications he’s had with other districts (similar to West Morris), administrators have found that bullying in sports has become a rather colossal problem.

“There’s even institutional harassment taking place (in some districts), and we had to look at similar schools, where we found that these are large issues… It’s important for this kind of attention (to be paid to such a grave matter).”

Upon debating for a few moments, including a look at the agreement’s $3,250 cost, Dr. David Leigh, the district’s anti-bullying coordinator contributed to the conversation by defending his decision to reach outward for help.

“HIB in sports is a serious issue,” he said. “Coaches do tremendous stuff, seen through their dedication to programs and the athletes. But the reality is, with the Rutgers incident (Mike Rice berating players) and a two-year law coming into play, all behavior is seriously being put under the microscope.

“We have to educate the coaches, and draw a line on what’s acceptable in sports,” he said.

Leigh concluded by saying that the Your Personal Coach business being brought in is a reputable, well-referenced establishment that will surely help the district’s coaches along in HIB training.

“This is a good investment,” he said. “We have to protect ourselves from scrutiny, especially after the Rutgers incident and its repercussions felt nationwide.”

There has already been one training session (held on July 10), and two more are scheduled; they will be held on July 26 and another in October for anyone who may have missed the summer meetings.

“We brought in (and are bringing in again) a speaker to talk with the coaches in the district,” Leigh said at a special meeting prior to the board session. “A lot of great things come out of sports, but a lot of the methods coaches use these days may be considered fuzzy to some, especially in regards to respect for the players.”

Asked whether these attempts at reducing bullying cases in the West Morris district also stems directly from an earlier case involving the cheerleading team at Mendham High School, Leigh said that it may “be one factor but certainly not all.

“People begrudge coaches,” he said. “And under this new (broader) law, there may be more complaints and issues (brought forth).”