Hamilton public board recommends creation of anti-bullying panel

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is putting forward a recommendation Monday that would see the creation of a community panel on bullying following the fatal stabbing of a student earlier this month.

The review panel would consist of respected community members with knowledge and skills in equity, mental health, and school board operations.

The school board says the panel will provide feedback and recommendations on how to prevent, intervene, report and respond to bullying in schools and in the community.

The recommendation comes just three weeks after 14-year-old Devan Bracci-Selvey was stabbed to death outside of Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School.

In a report recommending the panel, Manny Figueiredo, Director of Education at HWDSB, said since Devan’s tragic death there has been a “heightened concern” across the community regarding bullying.

The boy’s mother, Shari-Ann Selvey, has said that her son was incessantly bullied since he started school in September.

A 14-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man have been charged with first-degree murder in the teen’s death.

The report will be brought forward for approval at the board meeting Monday evening and more details are expected to be released to the media during a news conference at 5:30 p.m.