Members of the Governor's Task Force for the Prevention of Bullying will convene listening sessions across the state to hear from Minnesota students, educators and community members on the issue of bullying and school climate. The first set of listening sessions will be held in Bemidji next Wednesday, April 18.

The Bemidji listening sessions will be convened by Task Force Co-Chair Julie Herzog. The first listening session will take place at Bemidji High School and will focus on student input. The second listening session will be held at Bemidji Middle School and will offer parents, educators and community members the opportunity to weigh in.

Created through executive order by Governor Dayton, the task force is comprised of 15 members charged with examining best practices and policies that currently exist to prevent bullying. The panel is further tasked with providing future recommendations to the Governor and the legislature on this subject. The listening sessions will provide the opportunity for stakeholders to provide information and insight to task force members that will inform the group's final recommendations to Governor Dayton and the legislature.

Members of the taskforce include the Commissioners of the Department of Education, the Department of Human Rights and members of the legislature. Governor Dayton also appointed additional members with experience or expertise in psychology, education, pediatrics and anti-bullying advocacy.

What: Governor's Task Force for the Prevention of Bullying Listening Sessions

Who: Task Force Co-Chair Julie Herzog

When: April 18, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. (Student listening session) and 5:30 p.m. (Parent, educator and community listening session)

Where: Student Listening Session: Bemidji High School, Room 2104, 2900 Division Street West, Bemidji, MN 56601

Parent, Educator and Community Listening Session: Bemidji Middle School, Cafeteria, 1910 Middle School Drive Northwest, Bemidji, MN 56601

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For more information please contact Jeff Holman, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, 651-539-1090, jeff.holman@state.mn.us