Policies and Procedures

ADA and Section 504 Compliance

It is the policy of the Paramus Board of Education that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment practice sponsored by the Board. 

The district complies with:

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 

• The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), through the implementation of appropriate programs and services that meet the educational needs of students with disabilities. 

Notification of Nondiscrimination Policy 

Notice of the Board's policy on nondiscrimination in employment (see Policy and Regulation No. 4111.1/4211.1) and education (see Policy No. 6121) will be:

• Included in the Board policy manual,

• Posted throughout the district, and

• Referenced in any district communication regarding the availability of employment opportunities or educational services.

NJ Safe Act - Domestic Violence

The purpose of the State of New Jersey Violence Policy for Public Employers is to set forth a uniform domestic policy for all public employers to adopt in accordance with N.J.S.A. 11A:2-6a. The purpose of this policy is to also encourage employees who are victims of domestic violence, and those impacted by domestic violence, to seek assistance from their Human Resources Officers. (See - Policy Nos. 4111.2/4211.2) 

Sexual Harassment 

The Paramus Board of Education prohibits sexual harassment, whether verbal, nonverbal, or physical in nature, committed by supervisory or non-supervisory personnel. No person shall threaten, coerce, or insinuate—directly or indirectly—that an employee’s submission to or rejection of sexual advances will in any way affect decisions related to employment, evaluation, compensation, advancement, conditions of employment, or access to educational opportunities. 

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to, 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 unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or educational experience, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. 

Sexual Harassments can be verbal non-verbal or visual and physical. 

• Quid Pro Quo Harassment: This occurs when employment benefits (e.g., hiring, promotions, raises) are conditioned, either explicitly or implicitly, on an individual's submission to sexual advances or favors.

Examples: A supervisor promising a promotion in exchange for a date, or threatening to fire an employee if they refuse sexual advances.

• Hostile Work Environment Harassment: This involves unwelcome sexual conduct that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

Examples: Unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually suggestive comments, jokes, gestures, or displays of sexually explicit materials; unwelcome touching, brushing against someone, or impeding their movement; spreading rumors about someone's sex life. This can also include gender-based harassment, which is not sexual in nature but is directed at an individual because of their gender.

Sexual harassment can be perpetrated by anyone, regardless of gender, and can occur between individuals of the same or different genders. It can involve supervisors, co-workers, students, or third parties (e.g., vendors, parents).

Enforcement of Equal Opportunity

Paramus Public Schools’ commitment to equal educational opportunity and equal employment opportunity applies to all members of the District community. The District enforces this commitment through the investigation and resolution of all incidents or complaints of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

Workplace Bullying

Bullying is defined as repeated aggressive behavior that intentionally harms another person, physically or mentally, and is characterized by an imbalance of power. It can manifest in various ways, including:

• Verbal Bullying: Taunting, teasing, name-calling, making threats, spreading rumors, or making offensive remarks.

• Physical Bullying: Hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, spitting, or damaging someone's property.

• Social/Relational Bullying: Excluding someone from a group, spreading gossip, or damaging someone's reputation or relationships.

• Cyberbullying: Using electronic communication (e.g., emails, texts, social media) to bully, harass, or intimidate. Bullying creates a hostile and uncomfortable work environment, impacting an individual's well-being and productivity.