WESTBROOK – Westbrook school officials have decided not to adopt administrative procedures for dealing with bullying in schools.

The district already has a policy in place that defines and prohibits bullying. Most Westbrook School Committee members agreed the policy is sufficient while admitting no document can prevent bullying.

Committee member Alex Stone has spoken out against the efficacy of the revised policy that the committee approved at its Nov. 3 meeting. The vote of approval was 6-1, with Stone voting against it.

“It has no teeth,” he said of the policy during a committee workshop on Oct. 28.

A proposed administrative procedure would have provided administrators with step-by-step instructions on handling bullying incidents. However, after conferring with the district’s legal counsel, the board was informed the procedure could be more hindrance than help.

Officials said it was an issue of due process, and that if for some reason an administrator failed to follow the exact steps outlined in the procedure, an unsatisfied parent could sue the district.

Instead, officials largely believed a policy with fewer specifics that allows administrators discretion is more appropriate.

The revised policy the committee approved provides a definition of bullying and states it will not be tolerated in Westbrook schools. Discipline, suspension and expulsion are possible punishments for students who break the policy.

The policy gives administrators the authority to contact police if they deem it necessary.

Stone said he was unhappy with the policy because “it’s the same exact policy we currently have in place.” He stated the committee should be trying to improve the situation but has done nothing.

“No policy is going to prevent bullying,” countered committee Chairman Ed Symbol. “What this says is Westbrook doesn’t tolerate bullying.”

District Superintendent Dr. Reza Namin said he appreciated the committee’s close look at the issue.

Officials agreed the best way to combat bullying is to educate students on its impacts. As part of that effort, the Westbrook Performing Arts Center is hosting a Portland Ovations presentation of “Wired,” a play about cyber bullying and Internet safety, on Dec. 1.

Jamie Grant, the center’s general manager, said more than 200 Westbrook fifth-graders will attend the show. They are hoping for a sell-out performance with students from other schools attending as well, he said.