The superintendent of the Albert Lea school district said he is concerned with the anti-bullying law signed into law by the governor on Wednesday.

The law requires school districts to track and investigate cases of bullying and requires schools to better train staff and teachers on how to prevent it. Current law requires school districts to have a bullying policy but omits details on what the policy should contain.

Superintendent Mike Funk called the law “reactionary and expensive.”

“Local school boards will have been told that they will have the opportunity to draft their own bullying policies, but districts are required to create a policy that is extremely prescriptive, as the legislation details what must be in the policy,” he said.

He said the accountability for what occurs in schools should be the responsibility of the local school board and district administration. He said the new law creates mandates without providing funding to complete them.

“The Legislature is attempting to cure an issue because of poor accountability with some school systems with a blanket approach,” Funk said. “It should be up to the local citizens to determine what is best for their schools.”

He described bullying as a societal issue, not just an issue in schools.

The estimated cost for implementation statewide is between $40 million and $50 million, he said. Districts are now expected to designate a person in each building as the primary contact for bullying, who will receive reports, implement the policy and serve as the primary contact on policy and procedure matters. He said there is no state funding for this staff person.

“By itself, legislated policy and mandated training will not solve the ills of our society,” Funk said.

Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, and Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, both voted against the bill and against party lines. Rep. Shannon Savick, DFL-Wells, voted for the bill.

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton said the state’s schools should be safe and supportive places for everyone.

“This antibullying legislation will make it very clear that bullying is not to be allowed in our schools,” Dayton said. He thanked the legislators and other advocates who worked to pass the law.”

The bill was supported by more than 100 advocacy groups across the state and includes the recommendations of the governor’s task force on the prevention of school bullying.