“Bullying/Intimidation/Harassment” is an act that substantially interferes with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance, and the act has the effect of: 

1. Physically harming a student or damaging a student’s property; 

2. Knowingly placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student’s property; 

3. Causing emotional distress to a student; or 

4. Creating a hostile educational environment.  

Bullying, intimidation, or harassment may also be unwelcome conduct based on a protected class (race, nationality, origin, color, sex, age, disability, religion) that is severe, pervasive, or persistent and creates a hostile environment.  

“Cyber-bullying” is a form of bullying undertaken through the use of electronic devices. Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices, text messaging, emails, social networking sites, instant messaging, videos, web sites, or fake profiles. 

“Hazing” is an intentional or reckless act by a student or group of students that is directed against any other student(s) that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student(s) or that induces or coerces a student to endanger his/her mental or physical health or safety. Coaches and other employees of the school district shall not encourage, permit, condone, or tolerate hazing activities.  

Hazing does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization.

Any individual who has knowledge of behaviors that may constitute a violation of this policy shall promptly report such information to the principal/designee.

While reports may be made anonymously, an individual's need for confidentiality shall be balanced with obligations to cooperate with police investigations or legal proceedings, to provide due process to the accused, to conduct a thorough investigation, or to take necessary actions to resolve a complaint. The identity of parties and witnesses may be disclosed in appropriate circumstances to individuals with a need to know. 

The principal/designee at each school shall be responsible for investigating and resolving complaints. Once a report is received, the principal/designee shall initiate an investigation within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of the report. If an investigation is not initiated within forty-eight (48) hours, the principal/designee shall provide the Director of Schools with appropriate documentation detailing the reasons why the investigation was not initiated within the required timeframe. The principal/designee shall immediately notify the parent(s)/guardian(s) when a student is involved in an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying. The principal/designee shall provide information on district counseling and support services. Students involved in an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying shall be referred to the appropriate school counselor by the principal/designee when deemed necessary.

The principal/designee is responsible for determining whether an alleged act constitutes a violation of this policy, and such act shall be held to violate this policy when it meets one of the following conditions: 

1. It places the student in reasonable fear or harm for the student’s person or property; 

2. It has a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health; 

3. It has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s academic performance; or 

4. It 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.  

Upon the determination of a violation, the principal/designee shall conduct a prompt, thorough, and complete investigation of each alleged incident. All investigations shall be completed and appropriate intervention taken within twenty (20) calendar days from the receipt of the initial report. If the investigation is not complete or intervention has not taken place within twenty (20) calendar days, the principal/designee shall provide the Director of Schools with appropriate documentation detailing the reasons why the investigation has not been completed or the appropriate intervention has not taken place. Within the parameters of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a written report on the investigation will be delivered to all involved parties and the Director of Schools. 

The principal/designee shall consider the nature and circumstances of the incident, the age of the individual, the degree of harm, previous incidences or patterns of behavior, or any other factors, as appropriate, to properly respond to each situation. 

A substantiated charge against an employee shall result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. The employee may appeal this decision by contacting the Director’s designee. 

A substantiated charge against a student may result in corrective or disciplinary action up to and including suspension. The student may appeal this decision in accordance with disciplinary policies and procedures. 

Retaliation against any person who reports or assists in any investigation of an act alleged in this policy is prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in retaliation shall be determined by the principal/designee after consideration of the nature, severity, and circumstances of the act.

False accusations accusing another person of having committed an act prohibited under this policy are prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person found to have falsely accused another may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including expulsion.