The state Division on Civil Rights has issued a finding of probable cause against the Emerson Board of Education in Bergen County for allegedly failing to take sufficient steps to stop the harassment and bullying of a male student that went on for six years, Attorney General Paula T. Dow announced Tuesday.

Named as sole respondent in the finding, the Emerson school board oversees a district made up of three schools including two elementary schools and the Emerson Junior/Senior High School.

According to the division, the district failed to effectively deal with continued verbal, physical and cyber-harassment of the male student -- identified only as J.C. Jr. -- that began in 2002 and continued through 2007. The harassment occurred while J.C. was attending Emerson junior and senior high school, and was focused on the student's perceived sexual orientation.

The alleged harassment, which was reported to school officials numerous times, included name-calling and derogatory remarks from other students about J.C's perceived homosexuality, as well as physical assaults and threats of violence. In addition, students on one occasion created a page on a social networking web site that described J.C.'s sexual orientation as "unknown," and also depicted him as a female. Students also are alleged to have circulated derogatory drawings of J.C., including at least one that depicted him performing a sex act on another male.