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HARASSMENT, HAZING, BULLYING

The Board of Education recognizes that hazing, and/or bullying of students is abusive and behavior that harms victims and negatively impacts the school culture by creating an environment of fear, distrust, intimidation and intolerance.  The Board further recognizes that preventing and remedying hazing, and/or bullying in schools is essential to ensure a healthy, nondiscriminatory environment in which students can learn.

The Board is committed to providing an educational and working environment that promotes respect, dignity and equality and that is free from all forms of harassment.  To this end, the Board condemns and strictly prohibits all forms of hazing, harassment, and/or bullying on school grounds, school buses and at all school-sponsored activities, programs and events including those that take place at locations outside the district.

I.                    GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

A.     No student, of the school district shall plan, direct, encourage, aid or engage in hazing, or bullying.

B.     No teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor or other employee of the school district shall permit, condone or tolerate hazing, or bullying.

            C. This policy applies to behavior directly connected to school
                 activities that occur on or off school property and before, during 
                 and after school hours.
                 

D.     A person who engages in an act that violates school policy or law shall be subject to discipline for that act.

Hazing Definitions

“Hazing,” means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a risk of emotional, physical or psychological harm to a person, in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization, or for any other purpose.  The term hazing includes, but is not limited to:

1.                  Any humiliating, degrading or dangerous activity demanded of a student to join a group, regardless of the student’s willingness to participate (conduct has the potential to endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student).

2.                  Any hurtful, aggressive, destructive or disruptive behavior such as striking, whipping, sleep deprivation, restraint or confinement, calisthenics or other activity that subjects the student to any unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.

3.                  Substance Abuse –use or abuse of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs.

4.                    Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects a student to emotional, physical or psychological stress, embarrassment, shame or humiliation, that adversely affects the health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from remaining in school.

5.                  Any activity that causes or requires the student to perform a task or act that involves violation of state or federal law or of school district policies or regulations.

Bullying Definition

Bullying consists of inappropriate persistent behavior including threats, or intimidation of  others, treating others cruelly, terrorizing, coercing,  or habitual put downs and/or badgering others.  Bullying, similar to all forms of harassment and hazing, are prohibited behaviors.

Common characteristics of bullying:

·        Physical – hitting, kicking, taking or damaging a victim’s property

·        Verbal – using words to berate, hurt, or humiliate

·        Relational – maliciously spreading rumors, and/or actively excluding a person from the peer group to cause emotional harm

 Reporting Complaints

In order for the Board to effectively enforce this policy and to take prompt corrective measures, it is essential that all victims of hazing, or bullying and persons with knowledge of hazing, or bullying report the harassment immediately.  The district will promptly investigate all complaints of hazing, or bullying,  either formal or informal, verbal or written.  To the extent possible, all complaints will be treated in a confidential manner.  Limited disclosure may be necessary to complete a thorough investigation.

Investigation/Resolution

If, after appropriate investigation, the district finds that a student, has violated this policy, prompt corrective action will be taken in accordance with the district policy, state and federal law.

All complainants and those who participate in the investigation of a complaint of hazing, or bullying have the right to be free from retaliation of any kind.  The complainant will be notified of the outcome of the investigation.

Retaliation Prohibited

Any act of retaliation against a person who opposes hazing, bullying, or sexually harassing behavior, or who has filed a complaint, is prohibited and illegal.  Any acts of retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action.  Retaliation against any person who has testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in any investigation, proceeding, or hearing of a hazing, bullying, and/or sexual harassment complaint is prohibited.  For purposes of this policy, retaliation includes but is not limited to: verbal or physical threats/assaults, intimidation, ridicule, bribes, destruction of property, spreading rumors, stalking, harassing phone calls, harassing internet use, and any other form of harassment. Any student who retaliates is subject to immediate disciplinary action, up to and including permanent suspension from school.  Any employee who retaliates is subject to immediate disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or termination from employment.

Discipline/Penalties

Any individual who violates the hazing, bullying, and/or sexual harassment policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.  Disciplinary measures available to school authorities include, but are not limited to, the following:

            Students:  Discipline may range from a reprimand up to and including permanent suspension from school, to be imposed consistent with the student conduct and discipline policy including the athletic code of conduct and applicable law.

False Complaints

False or malicious complaints of sexual harassment may result in corrective or disciplinary action taken against the complainant.

Training

Training programs shall be presented to students and employees to raise awareness of the issues surrounding hazing, or bullying, and to implement preventive measures to help reduce incidents of hazing, or bullying.  Parents will be informed of this policy and the district’s efforts to provide training to students and staff.

Notification

This policy shall be published in student registration materials, student, parent and employee handbooks, and other appropriate school publications.