BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) -- Vermont has a new advisory council to help stop bullying in schools.

It will give advice to education officials throughout the state and coordinate statewide activities in response to bullying problems.

The 14-member Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Prevention Advisory Council is made up of staff from the Department of Education, the principals' association, teachers union, and other groups with a focus on education or harassment prevention.

The chairwoman is Tracey Tsugawa, a civil rights investigator with the Vermont Human Rights Commission.

The council will hold its first meeting Aug. 31 in Montpelier.