Central Clinton bullying policy, investigative procedure and complaint form

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By The Quad-City Times | Friday, February 16, 2007 1:51 PM CST | () comments

Central Clinton School District

STUDENT BULLYING AND HARASSMENT

The school district is committed to providing all students with a safe and civil school

environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and

respect. To that end, the school district has in place policies, procedures, and practices

that are designed to reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment as well as processes

and procedures to deal with incidents of bullying and harassment when they occur.

Bullying and harassment of students by other students, school officials, faculty, staff, and

volunteers who have direct contact with students will not be tolerated in the school

district. The school district prohibits harassment, bullying, hazing, or any other

victimization based on real or perceived race, gender, creed, color, national origin,

religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, physical appearance, and/or

personality characteristics.

This policy is in effect while students are on property within the jurisdiction of the school

district; while on school-owned and/or school-operated vehicles; while attending or

engaged in school sponsored activities; and while away from school grounds if the

misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management and welfare of the

school district. If after an investigation a student is found to be in violation of this policy,

the student shall be disciplined by measures up to and including suspension and

expulsion.

Harassment as set forth above may include, but is not limited to the following

behavior/overt acts and or circumstances:

• Verbal, nonverbal, physical or written harassment, bullying, hazing, or other

victimization that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear,

or suffering to the victim;

• Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature that have the purpose or effect of

causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim;

• Implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades, achievements, property, etc.

that have the purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to

the victim;

• Demeaning jokes, stories, or activities directed at the student that have the

purpose or effect of causing injury, discomfort, fear, or suffering to the victim;

and/or

• Unreasonable interference with a student’s performance or creation of an

intimidating, offensive, or hostile learning environment.

Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or

other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

• Submission to the conduct is made either implicitly or explicitly a term or

condition of the student’s education or benefits;

• Submission to or rejection of the conduct by a school employee is used as the

basis for academic decisions affecting that student; or

• The conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with the

student’s academic performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or

offensive education environment.

In situations between students and school officials, faculty, staff, or volunteers who

have direct contact with students, bullying and harassment may also include the

following behaviors:

• Requiring that a student submit to bullying or harassment by another student,

either explicitly or implicitly, as a term or condition of the targeted student’s

education or participation in school programs or activities; and/or

• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as a basis for

decisions affecting the student.

Retaliation against a student because the student has filed a bullying or harassment

complaint or assisted or participated in a harassment investigation or proceeding is also

prohibited. Students who knowingly file false harassment complaints or give false

statements in an investigation shall be subject to discipline by measures up to and

including suspension and expulsion, as shall any student who is found to have retaliated

against another in violation of this policy

The district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of harassment. The

building principal, Level I investigator, or designee will be responsible for handling all

complaints by students alleging harassment.

It will also be the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the

investigator and principals, to develop procedures regarding this policy. The

superintendent will also be responsible for organizing training programs for students,

school officials, faculty, staff, and volunteers who have direct contact with students. The

training will include how to recognize harassment and what to do in case a student is

harassed. It will also include proven effective harassment prevention strategies. The

superintendent will also develop a process for evaluating the effectiveness of the policy in

reducing bullying and harassment in the school district. The superintendent shall report

to the board on the progress of reducing harassment in the school district.

STUDENT BULLYING AND HARASSMENT INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES

Students who feel that they have been harassed should:

If the student is comfortable doing so, the student should communicate to the

harasser that the student expects the behavior to stop. If the student wants assistance

communicating with the harasser, the student should ask a teacher, counselor or

principal to help.

If the harassment does not stop, or the student does not feel comfortable

confronting the harasser, the student should:

-- tell a teacher, counselor or principal; and

-- write down exactly what happened, keep a copy and give another copy to

the teacher, counselor or principal including;

• what, when and where it happened;

• who was involved;

• exactly what was said or what the harasser did;

• witnesses to the harassment;

• what the student said or did, either at the time or later;

• how the student felt; and

• how the harasser responded.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

A student who believes that he or she has been harassed shall notify the building

principal or designee, the designated investigator. The investigator may request that the

student complete the Harassment Complaint form and turn over evidence of the

harassment, including, but not limited to, letters, tapes, or pictures. Information received

during the investigation is kept confidential to the extent possible.

The principal has the authority to initiate a harassment investigation in the absence of a

written complaint.

INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE

The investigator shall reasonably and promptly commence the investigation upon receipt

of the complaint. The investigator shall interview the complainant and the alleged

harasser. The alleged harasser may file a written statement refuting or explaining the

behavior outlined in the complaint. The investigator may also interview witnesses as

deemed appropriate.

Upon completion of the investigation, the investigator shall make written findings and

conclusions as to each allegation of harassment and report the findings and conclusions

to the principal. The investigator will provide a copy of the findings of the investigation

to the superintendent.

RESOLUTION OF THE COMPLAINT

Following receipt of the investigator's report, the principal may investigate further, if

deemed necessary, and make a determination of any appropriate additional steps which

may include discipline, up to and including, suspension and expulsion.

Prior to the determination of the appropriate remedial action, the principal may, at the

principal's discretion, interview the complainant and the alleged harasser. The principal

shall file a written report closing the case and documenting any disciplinary action taken

or any other action taken in response to the complaint. The complainant and the alleged

harasser shall receive notice as to the conclusion of the investigation.

POINTS TO REMEMBER IN THE INVESTIGATION

• Evidence uncovered in the investigation is confidential.

• Complaints must be taken seriously and investigated.

• No retaliation will be taken against individuals involved in the investigation

process.

• Retaliators will be disciplined up to and including suspension and expulsion.

CONFLICTS

If the principal is a witness to the incident, the designee shall investigate.