Updated below. Gov. Mark Dayton signed an executive order Tuesday to create a Governor's Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying. (Read the PDF here.)

Dayton made the case for his new task force this way:

“Bullying causes severe suffering and harm to the children, who are its victims; and we must do more to stop it. Children and parents in Minnesota should have confidence that their schools are safe places for learning and are free of harm or intimidation."

Fridley School District spokesperson Jael McLemore offered this reponse from District 14:

"Safe school environments are critical to the academic success of all students.  The governor's actions are a step in the right direction and we look forward to workable solutions from the task force that will create stronger anti-bullying policies."

Update (1:30 p.m.): Spring Lake Park School District spokesperson Jim Elert offered this response from District 16:

"All Minnesota schools—all schools everywhere—must have assurance of a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment as their top priority. We look forward to the results of the State's task force and applaud all efforts to draw attention to the very real issue of bullying."

(Look for more updates to this post as other Fridley-area school districts respond to a request for reaction.)

What do you think about school bullying and the governor's action?