Sexual Harassment Checklist
- The action must be UNWANTED
- The action must be sexual in nature and can be VERBAL, NON-VERBAL, or PHYSICAL
- Tell the person: “STOP, I don’t like it!”
- If the actions continue, tell a teacher, counselor, nurse, or principal.
Reporting Unlawful Harassment: The school district encourages and expects students who are subjected to harassment by another student or a school employee, or who are aware of other students being subjected to harassment, to immediately report the incident to any employee, staff member, or administrator.
If a student's parents believe their child was subjected to unlawful harassment, they may report the incident to the principal or, where appropriate, the superintendent.
Investigation of Complaints: Upon receipt of an unlawful harassment complaint, the principal will immediately verify all information in the complaint by talking to the student, the person who filed the complaint, and, where appropriate, the parents. The principal will advise that a complaint is pending and conduct a prompt and thorough investigation. Every effort shall be made to complete the investigation within 15 days of receiving the complaint. If the investigation cannot be completed within the timeframe, the complaining student (and where appropriate, his or her parents) shall be notified of the investigation's status and anticipated completion date.
Interim Resolution: The principal will, after consultation with the superintendent and whenever appropriate, be authorized to implement an interim resolution to a complaint pending the outcome of the investigation.
Corrective Action: If the investigation results in a substantiated charge of unlawful harassment, the district will take prompt corrective action to redress injury suffered by the complaining student and ensure the unlawful harassment ceases and will not recur.
Confidentiality: All information concerning the complaint will (to the extent it is practical to do so) be confidential and made available only on a "need to know" basis (which includes releasing information to law enforcement authorities). The administration will maintain accurate records of all phases of the investigation and follow up.
Right to Appeal: Any party may appeal to the superintendent a decision of the principal. Appeals must be filed within ten (10) working days of the receipt of the written decision. Within five (5) calendar days of receiving the report, the superintendent will issue a decision regarding whether this policy was violated. This decision must be provided in writing to the person who complained and the alleged perpetrator. The employee or student who was allegedly subject to harassment may appeal the finding to the School Board within five (5) calendar days of receiving this decision. The School Board will have thirty (30) calendar days to make a decision.
Informal Resolution of Student/Student Complaints: In some instances, allegations of unlawful harassment made by one or more students against one or more students may be resolved without an investigation. In those situations, the principal will meet with the involved students and, where appropriate, their parents to discuss the allegations and possibly resolve the matter. If the resolution is satisfactory to all parties, the case will be closed. Involvement in the informal resolution is voluntary and not a prerequisite to formally filing a complaint.
Parent Notification: Except under unusual circumstances, upon receipt of a complaint, the principal will notify the parent/legal guardian of the complaining student. In the case of student-to-student complaints, which are handled informally, the principal will contact a parent/legal guardian if it is determined that the health, welfare, or safety of the student or other people is in jeopardy.
Discipline: Any student who engages in unlawful harassment, or who contributes to the unlawful harassment of others, as defined by the district's policy, may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. For specific actions, see infraction codes 14 “Sexual Harassment” and 16 “All Other Forms of Harassment/Intimidation,” in Appendix A: Discipline Decision-Making Guide.
Filing False/Malicious Claims: Filing an unlawful harassment complaint is a serious matter for both the complaining student and the accused harasser. Filing of knowingly false or malicious claims is strictly prohibited, and the filer of such claims will be subject to disciplinary action.
Retaliation Prohibited: There will be no retaliation of any kind against a person who, in good faith, files an unlawful harassment complaint, assists in the filing of a complaint, or takes reasonable steps to stop the unlawful harassment. Any person subject to retaliation should report that conduct to the superintendent.
Related Policies
If a reported incident does not fall under the scope of Title IX, the reported incident will be reviewed and appropriate steps taken under other applicable District policies, such as:
- Pol. 103 – Opportunity Programs for School/Classroom
- Pol. 247 – Hazing;
- Pol. 248 – Student Harassment;
- Pol. 448 – Harassment
- Pol. 448.1 – Non-Discrimination Based Upon Sex (Title IX)