1. “Third parties” include, but are not limited to, coaches, school volunteers, parents, school visitors, service contractors or others engaged in District business, such as employees of businesses or organizations participating in cooperative work programs with the District and others not directly subject to District control at inter‐District and intra‐District athletic competitions or other school events.
2. “District” includes District facilities, District premises, and non‐District property if the student or employee is at any District‐sponsored, District‐approved, or District‐related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events, where students are under the control of the District or where the employee is engaged in District business.
3. “Hazing” includes, but is not limited to, any act that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or as a condition or precondition of attaining membership in or affiliation with any District‐sponsored activity or grade‐
level attainment, including, but not limited to, forced consumption of any drink, alcoholic beverage, drug, or controlled substance, forced exposure to the elements, forced prolonged exclusion from social contact, sleep deprivation, or any other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental or physical health or safety of a student; requires, encourages, authorizes, or permits another to be subject to wearing or carrying any obscene or physically burdensome article, assignment of pranks to be performed, or other such activities intended to degrade or humiliate.
4. “Harassment” includes, but is not limited to, any act which subjects an individual or group to unwanted, abusive behavior or a nonverbal, verbal, written, or physical nature, on the basis of age, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, ancestry, disability, or marital status.
5. “Intimidation” includes but is not limited to, any threat or act intended to tamper with, substantially damage or interfere with another’s property, cause substantial inconvenience, subject another to offensive physical contact, or inflict serious physical injury, on the basis of age, race,
religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, ancestry, disability, or marital status.
6 “Bullying” happens when someone with more power unfairly hurts someone with less power over and over again. Power may be physical strength, social skill, verbal ability, or another resource.
REPORTING
All complaints about behavior that may violate this policy shall be promptly investigated. Any student, employee, or third party who has knowledge of conduct in violation of this policy or feels he/she has been a victim of hazing, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, in violation of this policy is encouraged to immediately report his/her concerns to the building principal or the District Superintendent. This report may be made anonymously. A student may also report concerns to a teacher or counselor, who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate District official. Complaints against the building principal shall be filed with the Superintendent. Complaints against the Superintendent or District Administrator shall be filed with the Board. The complainant shall be notified of the findings of the investigation and, as appropriate, that remedial action has been taken. Whenever an employee sees a violation of this policy then that employee should visit with the parent(s) of the violated student(s) and that employee’s immediate supervisor ASAP and preferably that same day. When appropriate, law enforcement will be notified when a person violates this policy.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The District Superintendent shall be responsible for ensuring notice of this policy is provided to students, staff, and third parties and for the development of administrative regulations, including reporting and investigative procedures, as needed.
CONSEQUENCES
Students whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion. Staff whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal. Third parties whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to appropriate sanctions as determined and imposed by the District Administrator or the Board. Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement officials.
RETALIATION AND REPRISAL
Retaliation is prohibited against any person who reports or is thought to have reported a violation, files a complaint, or otherwise participates in an investigation or inquiry. Such retaliation shall be considered a serious violation of Board policy, whether or not a complaint is substantiated. False charges shall also be regarded as a serious offense and will result in disciplinary action or other appropriate sanctions.
