Head teachers in East Lothian held a 'problem-solving' conference to tackle problems with antisocial behaviour involving pupils in towns across the county.
Concern over an increase in incidents over the last year saw education chiefs step in to support childrens services and Police Scotland tackle the problem.
East Lothian's head of education Nicola McDowell told a virtual meeting of the local authority's education committee today that the head teachers had been keen to get involved in the issue.
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She said work was underway to bring local services together in each area affected to ensure solutions offered match the unique character of the locality.
And she revealed school support staff were being given additional training to "upskill" and make sure they are equipped to meet the challenges facing them.
The committee was told that antisocial behaviour had become a wider issue in East Lothian .
A report to members said: "This has been particularly prevalent in the Prestonpans, Musselburgh and Dunbar localities.
"This is linked to a small cohort of learners with challenging behaviour in our schools for whom alternative strategies are required.
"This, linked with a wider range of needs arising from the implications of COVID-19 on families led to a series of head teacher engagement sessions to explore the current challenges and gaps in supports to meet the needs of our learners."
Mrs McDowell told the meeting: "Head teachers are very much wanting to be at the heart of resolving the issues we have at the moment."
She added: "The work we are doing in information sharing is far stronger than in the past.
"It is a Covid-related issue and it is a national issue, not just in East Lothian."
The committee also heard of the work being carried out in schools with CO2 monitors now in every classroom and an additional 21 teachers and 10 support staff brought in using over £1 million of Scottish Government funding.
An additional £51,000 has been allocated from national funding for additional Easter holiday study support for pupils identified as needing help.
And the committee was told schools had been told they can go ahead and book residential trips after a nearly two year break from them.
It said: "Further discussion and adherence to the latest version of the guidance now allows schools to begin to book such trips for the next academic session.
"This is in line with neighbouring local authorities."
