5751 - SEXUAL HARASSMENT
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The Board of Education will not tolerate sexual harassment of students by school employees, other students, or third parties. Sexual Harassment of students is a form of prohibited sex discrimination. In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 34 CFR §106, the school district adopts this Policy and implements practices to investigate and resolve allegations of sexual harassment of students engaged in by school employees, other students, or third parties pursuant to 24 CFR §106.3 (c). In addition, reports of sexual harassment shall also be investigated in accordance with the requirements of New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act and Policy 5512.
For the purposes of Policy 5751 and in accordance with 34 CFR §106:
1. “Sexual harassment” (34 CFR §106.30(a)) means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:
a. An employee of the school district conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the school district on a student’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;
b. Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a student equal access to the school district’s education program or activity; or
c. “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 U.S.C. §1092(f)(6)(A)(v), “dating violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(8), or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(30).
Sexual harassment may take place electronically or on an online platform used by the school, including, but not limited to, computer and internet networks; digital platforms; and computer hardware or software owned or operated by, or used in the operations of the school.
In accordance with 34 CFR §106.8(a), any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report.
A school district with “actual knowledge” of sexual harassment in the educational program or activity of the school district against a student, must respond promptly in a manner that is not “deliberately indifferent”.
Any school employee who receives a complaint of sexual harassment or is aware of behavior that could constitute sexual harassment is required to report that information to the Title IX Coordinator in accordance with the provisions of 34 CFR §106.8(a) and B.1. of Regulation 5751. The district must report any potential child abuse in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:36-24; N.J.S.A. 18A:36-25; N.J.A.C. 6A:16-11.1; and Policy and Regulation 8462.
The Title IX Coordinator shall notify persons entitled to a notification pursuant to 34 CFR §106.8(a)(1) that the school district does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, and that it is required by Title IX and Policy and Regulation 5751 not to discriminate in such a manner in accordance with 34 CFR §106.8(b)(1).
The Title IX Coordinator shall prominently display the contact information required to be listed for the Title IX Coordinator pursuant to 34 CFR §106.8(b)(2)(i) on the school district’s website and in each handbook or catalog the school district makes available to persons entitled to a notification in accordance with 34 CFR §106.8(a). Policy and Regulation 5751 shall be prominently displayed on the district’s website and accessible to anyone.
Supportive measures shall be available to the Complainant, Respondent, and as appropriate, witnesses or other impacted individuals.
The school district shall use the grievance process outlined in 34 CFR §106.45 and Regulation 5751 to address formal complaints of sexual harassment. The school district shall offer both parties an appeal process as outlined in 34 CFR §106.45 and Regulation 5751 from a determination regarding responsibility for sexual harassment and from the Title IX Coordinator’s dismissal of a formal complaint or any allegations of sexual harassment.
The Title IX Coordinator shall be responsible for effective implementation of any remedies in accordance with 34 CFR §106.45(b)(7)(iv). The appropriate school official designated by the Superintendent, after consultation with the Title IX Coordinator, will determine sanctions imposed and remedies provided, if any.
Consistent with the laws of New Jersey a student’s parent must be permitted to exercise the rights granted to their child under this Policy, whether such rights involve requesting supportive measures, filing a formal complaint, or participating in a grievance process.
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, appeal officer, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process, receive training in accordance with 34 CFR §106.45(b)(1)(iii).
The school district or any employee of the school district shall not intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX or Policy 5751, or because the individual has made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this Policy, in accordance with 34 CFR §106.71(a).
For each school district response to sexual harassment required under 34 CFR §106.44, the school district shall create and maintain for a period of seven years, records in accordance with 34 CFR §106.45(b)(10).
The Superintendent or designee shall consult with the Board Attorney to ensure the school district’s response to allegations of sexual harassment and the school district’s grievance process are in accordance with 34 CFR §106.44 and 34 CFR §106.45.
Any time a report is made to the Title IX Coordinator or formal complaint is filed pursuant to this Policy and in accordance with 34 CFR §106, the Title IX Coordinator shall forward the report or complaint to the Principal of the school building attended by the alleged victim for the Principal to follow the requirements of New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act and Policy 5512.
34 CFR §106
United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights – Questions and
Answers on the Title IX Regulations on Sexual Harassment (July 20, 2021)
Adopted: 10 June 2019
Revised: 05 January 2022