Harassment of students by other students will not be tolerated in the school district. This policy is in effect while students are on school grounds, school district property, or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school-owned and/or school-operated vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management of the school district and directly affects the welfare of the student and school district.
The board prohibits harassment, bullying, hazing, or any other victimization, of students, based on any of the following actual or perceived traits or characteristics, including but not limited to, age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status. Students whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy after an investigation be disciplined, up to and including, suspension and expulsion.
Sexual harassment means 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 a student's performance or creating an intimidating, offensive or hostile learning environment.
Sexual harassment as set out above, may include, but is not limited to the following: verbal or written harassment or abuse; pressure for sexual activity; repeated remarks to a person with sexual or demeaning implications; unwelcome touching; suggesting or demanding sexual involvement, accompanied by implied or explicit threats concerning one's grades, achievements, etc.
Harassment as set forth above may include, but is not limited to the following: verbal, physical or written harassment, bullying or abuse; repeated remarks of a demeaning nature; implied or explicit threats concerning one's grades, achievements, etc.; demeaning jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student.
When looking at the totality of the circumstances, harassment and bullying mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student which is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic of the student and which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:
- Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property;
- Has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health;
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance; or
- Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.
“Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optical cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, electronic text messaging or similar technologies.
The district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment & bullying. The building principal will be responsible for handling all complaints by students alleging harassment.
Retaliation against a student because the student has filed a harassment complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding is also prohibited, however, the superintendent has the right to discipline students who knowingly file false harassment complaints. A student who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline, up to and including, suspension and expulsion.
It will also be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the investigator and principals, to develop administrative rules regarding this policy. The superintendent will also be responsible for organizing training programs for students and employees. The training will include how to recognize harassment and what to do in case a student is harassed or bullied. It will also include effective harassment prevention strategies. The superintendent will also develop a process for evaluating the effectiveness of the policy by reducing harassment in the school district. The superintendent shall report to the board on the progress of reducing harassment in the school district.
Legal References:
20 U.S.C. §§ 1221-1234i; 29 U.S.C. § 794; 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d-2000d-7; 42 U.S.C. Ch. 21. Iowa Code Ch. 216. 281 I.A.C. 12.3(6).
Cross References:
403.6 Harassment
502 Student Rights and Responsibilities
503 Student Discipline
506 Student Records
Approved 2-18-03 Reviewed 4-21-08 1-28-19 Revised 6-18-07, 2-16-09, 1-21-14