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The Columbia Public School District is changing its bullying policy.

The school board voted for the change Monday night.

The new policy is different from the current one, which only require schools to tell students that bullying is prohibited.

The policy will require students to take up to 450 minutes of bullying and hazing instruction.

The policy will take effect in 2013, when middle and junior high schools will be combined to form intermediate schools.

"When students go to that intermediate structure there will be an advisory period that is part of their regular scheduled day, so that will allow time dedicated specifically to bullying,” Columbia Public Schools Michelle Baumstark said.

Buamstark said that the new policy is geared to help kids learn how bullying affects everyone.