Nashua sees increase in bullying

The Nashua Telegraph is reporting a disturbing trend: Incidents of bullying in Nashua schools are increasing.

But it may be a case of school personnel being more sensitive to bullying as they become better acquainted with expectations in a new state-wide anti-bullying law.

According to the report, three months into the school year, there have already been more reported incidents of bullying in city schools than the entire previous school year.

As of Dec. 1, 82 bullying incidents had been reported during the 2010-11 school year, according to data provided by the Nashua School District. That is compared to 56 incidents reported during the entire 2009-10 school year.

Superintendent Mark Conrad believes the numbers paint a more accurate picture of bullying that has been going on for years, but wasn’t reported in the past.

Conrad said the increase stems from principals and school staff being more vigilant in watching for bullying and reporting it, as well as changes made to state law which broaden the definition.

“Now that we have better awareness and focus, we should see our reporting reflecting the reality of what’s occurring,” Conrad said to the Telegraph. “This is what I had expected to see and I see it as a positive development.”