School officials asked to appear before council over bullying

City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young called Monday for top school officials to testify before the council about what steps are being taken to reduce bullying. The request comes after two incidents involving elementary students who reportedly were bullied.

Young is asking city schools chief Andres Alonso, Baltimore Teachers' Union President Marietta English and the president of the administrators union, Jimmy Gittings, to testify. A date for a hearing has not been set.

Alonso and the union presidents will likely have to answer questions about incidents of harassment and how prevalent leaders believe it is in schools this year. The district has reported a significant increase in bullying this year, which has been attributed to better staff training and a greater awareness of the issue.

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