Your Right to be Protected from Discrimination and Harassment

The Tri-Valley SELPA is committed to providing a working and learning environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on an individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color or mental or physical disability, or any other basis protected by Federal, State, local law, ordinance, or regulation. Harassment under Title IX (sex), Title VI (race, color, or national origin), and Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (mental or physical disability) is a form of unlawful discrimination that will not be tolerated by the District. Harassment is intimidation or abusive behavior toward a student/employee that creates a hostile environment and can result in disciplinary action against the offending student or employee. Harassing conduct can take many forms, including verbal acts and name-calling, graphic and written statements, or conduct that is physically threatening or humiliating.

This nondiscrimination policy covers admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, District programs and activities, including vocational education. The lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation in District programs or activities.

Additional information prohibiting other forms of unlawful discrimination/ harassment, inappropriate behavior, and/or hate crimes may be found in other District policies that are available in all schools and offices. It is the intent of the District that all such policies are read consistently to provide the highest level of protection from unlawful discrimination in the provision of educational services and opportunities.

All employees will conduct themselves in the course of their employment by word, gesture, act and demeanor so as to ensure that all students will be accorded just and equitable regard and treatment. Discrimination/harassment in any form toward students on the basis of their disabilities is unacceptable, unethical, and shall not be tolerated. Any violation of this policy will be investigated and subject to disciplinary action.

All divisions, offices, and branches in the District have distinct responsibilities in enforcing this policy as directed by the Board of Education and the Superintendent.

Executive staff, administrators, all divisions, local districts, and local school site administrators shall be held accountable for enforcing this policy.

The District prohibits retaliation against anyone who files a complaint or who participates in a complaint investigation.

Disability-based harassment is intimidation or abusive behavior toward a student based on disability that creates a hostile environment by interfering with or denying a student’s participation in or receipt of benefits in the District’s programs or activities. Harassing conduct may take many forms, including verbal acts and name-calling, as well as nonverbal behavior, such as graphic and written statements, or conduct that is physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating. In order to rise to the level of unlawful discrimination, the conduct must be unwelcome, severe or pervasive, and unreasonably disruptive of an individual’s educational or work environment or must create a hostile educational or work environment.