District Bullying and Harassment Policy Overview

Muscatine Muskies

What do YOU need to know about Bullying Harassment • It is against the LAW– Federal– State– Board Policy – Handbook

• The district policy translates to teacher responsibility of supervision and intervening

Protected ClassesStaff and Students

• Age • Color• Creed• National Origin• Race• Religion• Marital status• Sex • Sexual orientation

• Gender identity• Physical attributes• Physical or mental ability

or disability• Ancestry• Political party preference• Political belief• Socioeconomic status• Familial status

Jurisdictionis beyond the schoolhouse door• Broad and far-reaching– School property– Busses and vans– School sponsored activities– Any activity outside of school that impacts the

school environment

• Pretty much everywhere in your student’s lives and yours too!

Types of Bullying/Harassment

• Electronic•Written•Verbal •Physical act or conduct–Actual or perceived

Bullying/HarassmentBehavior and Circumstances

• May include but not limited to:– Repeated remarks of a demeaning nature– Implied or explicit threats concerning grades,

achievements, property– Demeaning jokes, stories, activities directed at

students– Unreasonable interference with student’s

performance

That Results in a…..

• Hostile school environment that may create for a student – Fear of harm to person or property– Detrimental effect physical or mental health– Interferes with academic performance– Interferes in participation in services, activities or

privileges at school

Sexual Harassment

• Definition–Unwelcome sexual advances–Requests for sexual favors

Sexual Harassment (Continued)

• Other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature– Submission is implicitly or explicitly a term or

condition of student’s education or benefits– Submission to or rejection of the conduct is used

as the basis for academic decisions affecting the student

– Conduct interferes with students academic performance as it creates intimidating, hostile, or an offensive educational environment

What’s NEW in Bullying

• Electronic– Transmission by wire, radio, optical cable, etc.

• Includes but not limited to– Electronic mail– Internet-based communications– Pagers– Cell phones– Electronic text messaging– Similar technologies

Responsibility and Immunity

• It is YOUR responsibility to intervene and report incidents of harassment and bullying.

• Reporting promptly, reasonably, and in good faith provides staff immunity from civil or criminal liability.

ProcedureCommunication Phase• Individuals who feel they have been harassed need to tell the harasser to

stop!• If the individual does not feel comfortable doing this, they may tell a

teacher or counselor. The teacher/counselor should inform an administrator.

Complaint Phase• The individual may need to complete the Harassment/Bullying

complaint form. This information will be used to determine if an investigation is warranted.

Investigation Phase• A written report will be filed and if founded, disciplinary actions

will follow.

Investigation

• Policy and procedures for investigation– Board Policy 402.3-Employees– Board Policy 503.2-Students

• Rule of Thumb– Student issues-Begin at building level but can

progress to the district level and beyond– Staff issues-Begin with the Supervisor and can

progress to the Director of Human Resources and beyond

Retaliation

• A definite NO!!!• Severe consequences for staff and students who

retaliate and can include suspension, expulsion or termination of employment

Responsibilities of School

• Training programs for– Students– School officials– Faculty & staff– Volunteers– Published– Handbooks-students and employee– Web site– Registration materials