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Bullying Policy

Series J - STUDENTS » JFCF Hazing, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Menacing

JFCF Hazing, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Menacing

Adoption Date: 11/10/2009
J - STUDENTS
 

The Board is committed to providing a positive and productive learning and working environment. To this end, hazing, harassment, intimidation, menacing or bullying by students, staff or third parties is strictly prohibited and shall not be tolerated in the district.

 

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 interdistrict and intradistrict athletic competitions or other school events.

 

  1. “District” includes district facilities, district premises and nondistrict 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.

 

  1. “Hazing” includes, but is not limited to, any act that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental health, 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, i.e., 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.

 

  1. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” 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-sponsored activity or on school-provided transportation and that 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. Creating a hostile educational environment or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
  4. Using any electronic device or means of communication to bully, harass, intimidate or retaliate against students or staff, i.e. cell phones, internet or other electronic device.
  5. Conforms to the definitions found in W.S. 21-4-312.

 

“Harassment” also 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, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, physical characteristic, cultural background, socioeconomic status or geographic location.

“Intimidation” also includes, but is not limited to, any threat or act intended to tamper, 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 race, color, religion, national origin or sexual orientation.

 

  1. “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.

 

  1. “Retaliation” means any verbal or physical action taken against any person who reports, files a complaint or participates in an investigation. Retaliation is prohibited and considered a serious violation of board policy independent of whether a complaint is substantiated.

 

  1. False charges pertaining to the above actions shall also be regarded as a serious offense and will result in disciplinary actions.

 

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, menacing, or retaliation in violation of this policy is encouraged to immediately report his/her concerns to the building principal, departmental director or superintendent who have overall responsibility for all investigations. 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 or departmental director shall be filed with the superintendent. Complaints against the superintendent shall be filed with the Board chair.

 

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. Discipline procedures will be followed as outlined in student handbooks for the appropriate grade level. 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 Board.

 

Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement officials.

 

The superintendent shall be responsible for ensuring notice of this policy is provided annually to students, staff and third parties and the development of administrative regulations, including reporting and investigative procedures, as needed. Complaint procedures, as established by the district, shall be followed.

 

Adopted: 11/10/09

 

 

Legal Reference(s): Wyoming Statute

 

6-2-506, 6-2-506 (a) (ii), 6-2-506 (b), 6-2-506 (b) (i), 6-2-506 (b) (iv), 6-6-301 (a), 6-6-301 (b) (i), 21-4-305, 21-4-306, 21-4-312

 

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000(d)

 

 

Policy References:
GBNAPolicy Cross References:
 » GBNA - Hazing, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, Menacing