The Board will strive to provide a positive and productive learning and working environment. Bullying, hazing, harassment, intimidation, or menacing by students, staff, or third parties is strictly prohibited and shall not be tolerated.

Definitions

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 of 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. “Bullying, harassment, or intimidation,” means any act that substantially interferes with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance, that takes place on or immediately adjacent to school grounds, at any school-

Bullying/Hazing/Harassment/Intimidation/Menacing

sponsored activity, on school-provided transportation, or at any official school bus stop, and that has the effect of:

6. “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.
7. “Menacing” includes, but is not limited to, any act intended to place a school employee, student, or third party in fear of imminent serious physical injury.

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, bullying or menacing in violation of this policy is encouraged to immediately report his/her concerns to the building principal or the Superintendent, who have overall responsibility for such investigations. 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 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.

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 Superintendent or the Board. Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement officials.

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.

The 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.