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BULLYING/
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Book Policy ManualSection: 200 Pupils
Title: Bullying/Cyberbullying
Code 249
Status Active
Legal
2. Pol. 103
3. Pol. 103.1
5. Pol. 218
8. Pol. 236
9. Pol. 233
10. Pol. 815
Pol. 113.1
Adopted August 8, 2016
Last Revised March 11, 2019
Purpose
The Board is committed to providing a safe, positive learning environment for district students. The Board recognizes that bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning, and may lead to more serious violence. Therefore, the Board prohibits bullying by district students.
Definitions
Bullying - an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act or series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in a school setting and/or outside a school setting, that is severe, persistent or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:[1]
Substantially interfering with a student’s education.
Creating a threatening environment.
Substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school setting.
School setting - in the school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated bus stop or at any activity sponsored, supervised or sanctioned by the school.[1]
Authority
The Board prohibits all forms of bullying by district students.[1]
The Board encourages students who believe they or others have been bullied to promptly report such incidents to the building principal or designee. A parent/guardian may report complaints of bullying on behalf of the student.
Students are encouraged to use the district’s report form, available from the building principal, or to otherwise put the complaint in writing. Oral complaints shall be accepted and documented. The person accepting the complaint shall handle the report objectively, neutrally and professionally, setting aside personal biases that might favor or disfavor the student filing the complaint or those accused of a violation of this policy.
The Board directs that verbal and written complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and appropriate corrective or preventative action be taken when allegations are substantiated. The Board directs that any complaint of bullying brought pursuant to this policy shall also be reviewed for conduct which may not be proven to be bullying under this policy but merits review and possible action under other Board policies.
Discrimination/Discriminatory Harassment
Every report of alleged bullying that can be interpreted at the outset to fall within the provisions of policies addressing potential violations of laws against discrimination and discriminatory harassment shall be handled as a joint, concurrent investigation into all allegations and coordinated with the full participation of the Compliance Officer. If, in the course of a bullying investigation, potential issues of discrimination or discriminatory harassment are identified, the Compliance Officer shall be promptly notified, and the investigation shall be conducted jointly and concurrently to address the issues of alleged discrimination as well as the incidents of alleged bullying.[2][3]
Confidentiality
Confidentiality of all parties, witnesses, the allegations, the filing of a complaint and the investigation shall be handled in accordance with this policy and the district’s legal and investigative obligations.
Retaliation
Reprisal or retaliation relating to reports of bullying or participation in an investigation of allegations of bullying is prohibited and shall be subject to disciplinary action.
Delegation of Responsibility
Each student shall be responsible to respect the rights of others and to ensure an atmosphere free from bullying.
The Superintendent or designee shall develop administrative regulations to implement this policy.
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that this policy and administrative regulations are reviewed annually with students.[1]
The Superintendent or designee, in cooperation with other appropriate administrators, shall review this policy every three (3) years and recommend necessary revisions to the Board.[1]
District administration shall annually provide the following information with the Safe School Report:[1]
Board’s Bullying Policy.
Report of bullying incidents.
Information on the development and implementation of any bullying prevention, intervention or education programs.
Guidelines
The Student Discipline Code, which shall contain this policy, shall be disseminated annually to students.[1][4][5]
This policy shall be accessible in every classroom. The policy shall be posted on the school websites.
Education
The district shall develop, implement and evaluate bullying prevention and intervention programs and activities. Programs and activities shall provide district staff and students with appropriate training for effectively responding to, intervening in and reporting incidents of bullying.[1][6][7][8]
The district shall educate all students about network etiquette and appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response.[1][10]
Consequences for Violations
A student who violates this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with the Student Discipline Code, which may include:[1][5][9]
Counseling within the school.
Parental conference.
Loss of school privileges.
Transfer to another school building, classroom or school bus.
Exclusion from school-sponsored activities.
Detention.
Suspension.
Expulsion.
Counseling/Therapy outside of school.
Referral to law enforcement authorities.
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