STUDENT-TO-STUDENT HARASSMENT (502.10)
Harassment of students by other students will not be tolerated in the school district. This policy is in effect while students are on school grounds, school district property, or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school-owned and/or school-operated vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management of the school district and directly affects the welfare of the student and school district.
Harassment prohibited by the school district includes, but is not limited to, harassment, including bullying, on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Students whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy after an investigation, will be disciplined, up to and including, suspension and expulsion.
Definition of Bullying as per Olweus, “Bullying is when a stronger more powerful person hurts or frightens a smaller, weaker person, on purpose, again and again.”
Harassment as set forth above may include, but is not limited to the following:
verbal, physical or written harassment, bullying or abuse;
repeated remarks of a demeaning nature;
implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades, achievements, etc;
demeaning jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student.
Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with a student's performance or creating an intimidating, offensive or hostile learning environment.
Sexual harassment as set out above, may include, but is not limited to the following:
verbal or written harassment or abuse;
pressure for sexual activity;
repeated remarks to a person with sexual or demeaning implications;
unwelcome touching;
suggesting or demanding sexual involvement, accompanied by implied or explicit threats concerning one's grades, achievements, etc.
The district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment. The building principal will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment. Retaliation against a student because the student has filed a harassment complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding is also prohibited. However, the superintendent has the right to discipline students who knowingly file false harassment complaints. A student who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including suspension and expulsion.
STUDENT-TO-STUDENT HARASSMENT INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES (502.10R1)
Students who feel that they have been harassed should:
If the student is comfortable doing so, the student should communicate to the harasser that the student expects the behavior to stop. If the student wants assistance communicating with the harasser, the student should ask a teacher, counselor or principal to help.
If the harassment does not stop, or the student does not feel comfortable confronting the harasser, the student should:
tell a teacher, counselor or principal; and
write down exactly what happened, keep a copy and give another copy to the teacher, counselor or principal including;
what, when and where it happened;
who was involved;
exactly what was said or what the harasser did;
witnesses to the harassment;
what the student said or did, either at the time or later;
how the student felt; and
how the harasser responded.
COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
A student who believes that the student has been harassed will notify the guidance counselor, the designated investigator. The alternate investigator is the building principal. The investigator may request that the student complete the Harassment Complaint form and turn over evidence of the harassment, including, but not limited to, letters, tapes, or pictures. Information received during the investigation is kept confidential to the extent possible. The investigator, with the approval of the principal, or the principal has the authority to initiate a harassment investigation in the absence of a written complaint.
INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE
The investigator will reasonably and promptly commence the investigation upon receipt of the complaint. The investigator will interview the complainant and the alleged harasser. The alleged harasser may file a written statement refuting or explaining the behavior outlined in the complaint. The investigator may also interview witnesses as deemed appropriate.
Upon completion of the investigation, the investigator will make written findings and conclusions as to each allegation of harassment and report the findings and conclusions to the principal. The investigator will provide a copy of the findings of the investigation to the principal.
RESOLUTION OF THE COMPLAINT
Following receipt of the investigator's report, the principal may investigate further, if deemed necessary, and make a determination of any appropriate additional steps which may include discipline, up to and including, suspension and expulsion. Prior to the determination of the appropriate remedial action, the principal may, at the principal's discretion, interview the complainant and the alleged harasser. The principal will file a written report closing the case and documenting any disciplinary action taken or any other action taken in response to the complaint. The complainant, the alleged harasser and the investigator will receive notice as to the conclusion of the investigation.
POINTS TO REMEMBER IN THE INVESTIGATION
Evidence uncovered in the investigation is confidential.
Complaints must be taken seriously and investigated.
No retaliation will be taken against individuals involved in the investigation process.
Retaliators will be disciplined up to and including suspension and expulsion.
CONFLICTS
If the investigator is a witness to the incident, the alternate investigator shall investigate.
Sanctions: Students who violate the policies, regulations, rules, or directives of the district, or who have documented cases of conduct detrimental to the best interests of the district, will be disciplined by one or more of the following plans:
a. Conference with the principal/designee;
b. Detention: a requirement that a student remain after school, or come to school early;
c. Wednesday school;
d. Informing the parents of the undesirable behavior;
e. In-school suspension: the temporary isolation of a student from one or more classes while under proper supervision, where the misconduct does not warrant removal from school by suspension;
f. Out-of-school suspension: the student is prohibited from attending classes or any school activity for a temporary period of time, not to exceed ten school days;
g. Parent conference with the Principal and Counselor;
h. Probation: conditional attendance during a trial period;
i. Temporary removal from class to the office of the principal or his/her designee for a period not to exceed two days when the principal or designee reviews with the student and the classroom teacher the misconduct of the student and determines the conditions of readmission to class or for further disciplinary proceedings’
j. Removal from class for the remainder of a term: the isolation of a student from a specific class for the remainder of a term while under proper supervision where the misconduct does not warrant removal from school by expulsion;
k. Denial of extracurricular activities or special privileges a student may have been given;
l. Physical restraint to protect property, other persons, and/or the student;
m. Restoration of property damaged at the student's expense;
n. Referral to other agencies;
o. The parents will be notified and the student turned over to local law enforcement authorities;
p. Expulsion: the student is prohibited from attending classes or any school activity for an indefinite period of time;
q. Other, as determined by the Principal.