Macombers Say Anti-Bullying Efforts Begin in Schools Not Senate

Despite general demand for statewide anti-bullying legislation, not everyone is convinced that the Michigan House and Senate’s most recent proposals will have any real impact if enacted.

Since being passed Nov. 2, for exempting those statements said to be based on sincerely held religious beliefs or moral conviction. 

For many, this exemption proved to be one more flaw in a bill deemed necessary, but too vague in its present state to be effective.

“The bill does not go far enough,” wrote . “It needs to be stronger, all of our children need to be protected.”

For Amy Lockard, the exemption was a deal-breaker.

“My thoughts are that this bill was made ridiculous, and it now essentially sanctions religious bigotry,” she wrote on the Macomb Patch Facebook.

Pastor of also found this exception objectionable.

“I believe that any form of bullying is unacceptable,” Lutz said. “Therefore, to exclude bullying as bullying for one's faith is wrong. I also believe that it is sad that we have to legislate a bullying policy. Bullying should just not be tolerated period."

While House Bill 4163, which was passed Nov. 10, mirrors the Senate bill’s requirement for all public schools, charter schools and intermediate school districts to adopt and implement anti-bullying policies, but does not contain this volatile exception.

Legislation isn't enough 

However, regardless of which bill is signed into law, sophomore Jake Chattinger doubts Lansing’s efforts will have any real affect on the actions of his peers.

“When they do bully, they don’t think it’s bullying,” Chattinger said. “It’s not physical. It’s more verbal.”

And now more than ever it is done through texting and social media, so the bullying doesn’t stop at the end of the school day.

“It may be over Facebook,” Chattinger said. “It’s easier to bully at home.”

With social media and smartphones becoming the common tools of Millennials and Generation Y, “cyberbullying” too is becoming more prevalent.

“It’s very frustrating and upsetting to students,” said counselor Jan Allen. “It is difficult to respond to. It’s hurtful and can interfere with school and become an emotional disability.”

Though the House bill covers electronic devices owned by the school, critics say it should also include provisions against cyberbullying on computers and electronic devices that are privately owned.

It's something to build on

So while most agree the current legislation leaves room for improvement, in Macomb Township, the consensus is that the most effective anti-bullying efforts will stem from school-based programs rather than state-mandated policies.

"This law doesn’t directly stop bullying in the classroom, but it rather pushes schools to implement plans to do so,” said Charlie Kadado, Dakota sophomore. “The positive aspect of this law is that it forces schools to change. It forces schools to create programs to prevent bullying and to avoid it from happening.”

That is exactly what L’Anse Creuse North counselor Lori O’Neal is hoping will happen.

“I think (the legislation) is needed because kids think bullying is taking someone and shoving them in a locker,” she said. “They don’t realize there are so many different forms. Kids don’t understand what bullying is–that it’s not part of everyday life.”

O’Neal believes the legislation, though imperfect, will provide a foundation on which schools like North can build their own anti-bullying programs–programs like Chippewa Valley Schools' , which has already been in place for several years.

“Dakota’s Hero in the Hallway program is an excellent example of what schools need to put into practice,” Kadado said. “Action to stop bullying starts with the students, not with school administration or with state or local government.”

If the current House bill is approved by the Senate and signed into law, it will be called , an East Lansing high school student who committed suicide in 2002 after being bullied.

At present, Michigan is just one of three states in the country that does not have an anti-bullying law.

How Did Our Reps Vote? 

2011 Senate Bill 137 passed 26 to 11 in the Senate on Nov. 2 - Sen. Jack Brandenburg voted in favor of the bill.

2011 House Bill 4163 passed 88 to 18 in the House on Nov. 10 - Rep. Ken Goike voted in favor of the bill.