0110.1 Sexual Harassment of Students

The Board of Education recognizes that harassment of students on the basis of actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity and expression is abusive and illegal behavior that harms targets and negatively impacts the school culture by creating an environment of fear, distrust, intimidation and intolerance. The Board further recognizes that preventing and remedying such harassment in schools is essential to ensure a healthy, nondiscriminatory environment in which students can learn.

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and is unlawful under federal and state law. For purposes of this policy, sexual harassment includes harassment on the basis of actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity and expression. Sexual harassment of a student can deny or limit the student’s ability to participate in or to receive benefits, services, or opportunities from the school’s program.

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome conduct which is either of a sexual nature, or which is directed at an individual because of that individual’s actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity and expression, when:

1. submission to that conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student's education;
2. submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for decisions affecting a student's education; or
3. the conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a student's school performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment, even if the complaining individual is not the intended target of the sexual harassment;

Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, or verbal, nonverbal or physical aggression, intimidation or hostility that is based on actual or perceived gender and sexual stereotypes. Examples of sexual harassment can be found in the accompanying regulation (0110.1-R).

The Board is committed to providing an educational environment that promotes respect, dignity and equality and that is free from all forms of sexual harassment. To this end, the Board condemns and strictly prohibits all forms of sexual harassment on school grounds, school buses and at all school-sponsored activities, programs and events, including those that take place at locations outside the district, or outside the school setting if the harassment impacts the individual’s education in a way that violates their legal rights, including when harassment is done by electronic means (including on social media). Sanctions will be enforced against all those who engage in sexual harassment or retaliation, and against district personnel who knowingly allow such behavior to continue.

Sexual harassment may subject the district to liability for harm done to targets. Harassers may also be individually subject to civil liability if sued in a court of law or criminal liability if prosecuted.

Under various state and federal laws, students have legal protections against sexual harassment in the school environment as described above. Those laws are listed in the references section. The district’s Code of Conduct also addresses appropriate behavior in the school environment. Sexual harassment can occur between persons of all ages and genders.

In order for the Board to effectively enforce this policy and to take prompt corrective measures, it is essential that all targets of sexual harassment and persons with knowledge of sexual harassment report the harassment immediately. The district will promptly investigate all complaints of sexual harassment, 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. If the complainant reports that they feel unsafe at school due to the nature of the complaint, the district will determine if accommodations need to be made until the issue is resolved.

If, after appropriate investigation, the district finds that a person has violated this policy, prompt corrective action will be taken in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement, contract, district policy and state law.

All complainants and those who participate in sexual harassment complaints or the investigation of a complaint of sexual harassment have the right to be free from retaliation of any kind, when they do so with a good faith belief that sexual harassment has occurred. Such prohibited retaliation can include, but is not limited to, discipline, discrimination, demotion, denial of privileges, or any action that would keep a person from coming forward to make or support a sexual harassment claim. Such actions need not be job- or education-related, or occur in the workplace or educational environment, to constitute unlawful retaliation.

The Superintendent of Schools is directed to develop and implement regulations for reporting, investigating and remedying allegations of sexual harassment. These regulations are to be attached to this policy. In addition, the Board directs that training programs be established for students, and annually for employees, to raise awareness of the issues surrounding sexual harassment and to implement preventative measures to help reduce incidents of sexual harassment. Age-appropriate instructional materials will be incorporated into the curriculum to educate students so that they can recognize and reduce the incidence of sexual harassment.

This policy, or a simplified version, will be posted in a prominent place in each district facility, on the district’s website, and will also be published in student registration materials, student, parent and employee handbooks, and other appropriate school publications.

A committee of administrators, teachers, parents, students and the school attorney will be convened annually to review this policy's effectiveness and compliance with applicable state and federal law, and to recommend revisions to Board.

 

 

Cross-ref:
0115, Student Harassment and Bullying Prevention and Intervention

Ref:

Education Amendments of 1972, Title IX, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq.; 34 CFR 106 et seq.
Education Law §§10-18 (The Dignity for All Students Act)
Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education, 526 U.S. 629, 652 (1999)
Gebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District, 524 U.S, 274 (1998)
Franklin v. Gwinnett County Public Schools, 503 U.S. 60 (1992)
Cannon v. University of Chicago, 441 U.S. 677 (1979)
Office for Civil Rights, Revised Sexual Harassment Guidance (January 19, 2001)
Office for Civil Rights, Dear Colleague Letter: Sexual Harassment Issues (2006)
Office for Civil Rights, Dear Colleague Letter: Bullying (October 26, 2010)

 

Sent to the Board of Education for Information:            05/21/20
Approved by the Board of Education:                06/18/20