Pines reports bullying incidents on the decline

The Northland Pines Board of Education held one of its regular meetings late last month and a key topic of discussion centered on the release of the 2025-2026 annual bullying report which showed a sharp decline in the number of reports received by the district compared to the previous school year.

While the number of confirmed cases rose from five incidents to eight, the total number of bullying reports received by the district went from 77 down to 37.

According to the annual report, bullying is described as deliberate or intentional behavior using words or actions intended to cause fear, intimidation or harm.

Emily Rhode is the director of education and pupil services for the district. She has been presenting the annual report to the board of education for the past three years, and said the statewide Speak Up Speak Out program accounted for the majority of source reporting. Speak Up Speak Out is a statewide 24-hour tipline for students, staff, and community members to report concerns of bullying and other safety-related matters.
According to Rhode, none of the confirmed bullying cases involved physical harm, and six of the eight confirmed verbal cases occurred in a classroom. She also pointed out that compared to the overall student population, the incidents of confirmed cases are relatively low; however, she added that any upward pattern in this critical area of student safety warrants continued monitoring. Of all cases reported or confirmed, the largest number has occurred at the middle school level.

The school district took administrative action in each confirmed case, including communication with parents of offending students, detention, various behavioral instruction, and other educational or administrative interventions. There have also been consequences for students involved in peer conflict or other behavior that is concerning, but falls short of the formal definition for bullying.

“Our focus has always been on holding students accountable for their actions,” Rhode said in the meeting, “but also on building skills to prevent future incidents from happening.” Regarding the decrease in the number of overall reports of bullying, Rhode said that the district will work to enhance communications about the variety of methods available for reporting, including the ability for students to report violations directly to school staff.

Following the presentation of the annual bullying report, which is required by state law and school district policy, Rhode went on to share information regarding the 2025-2026 annual seclusion and restraint report which is also required.

The report describes seclusion as the involuntary confinement of a student, apart from other students, in a room or area which the student is physically prevented from leaving; while restraint is described as a physical restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a student to freely move the student’s torso, arms, legs or head.

Rhode started by stating a core element to this type of action. “We do not use seclusion and restraint methods,” she said, “unless students are in imminent danger of injuring or harming themselves or someone else.”

She also pointed out that the number of incidents in the report do not always match the number of students impacted because the same student may be involved in multiple incidents.

For the 2025-26 school year, there were six instances when seclusion methods were applied, all involving three different elementary students. During the same period, there were 15 instances involving the use of physical restraints involving four students, each with disabling conditions. Rhode pointed out that staff applying these methods for behavior purposes must have certified training to apply methods that assure a safe and dignified process.

In other board business during this meeting, there were unanimous votes to approve new district goals for the current school year, and to approve $26,200 to refresh two softball infield surfaces to allow for better drainage and safer playing conditions.

The board also acknowledged the retirement of Dave Bohnen, the building and grounds director who is leaving the district after 29 years of service. Bohnen will be replaced by Bob Jensen, who recently held a similar position for the Elcho School District.

The board also acknowledged the fact that 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Northland Pines School District, which consolidated the former Eagle River Union High School with local elementary and middle schools in the area.

The next regular board of education meeting is scheduled on Monday, Sept. 28, at 5 p.m. in the high school auditorium. This will be followed by the annual school board meeting at 6 p.m. in the same location.