Regulation 5052: Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention Regulation

Reporting and Investigation

In order for the Board to effectively enforce Policy 5052 and to take prompt corrective measures, it is essential that all victims and any persons with knowledge of bullying report such behavior immediately to the building principal or the Building DASA Coordinator (the Assistant Principal) as soon as possible after the incident so that it may be effectively investigated and resolved. The district will promptly investigate all complaints, formal or informal, verbal or written. To the extent possible, all complaints will be treated in a confidential manner, although disclosure may be necessary to complete a thorough investigation.

In order to assist investigators, individuals should document the harassment, hazing, bullying as soon as it occurs and with as much detail as possible including: the nature of the incident(s); dates, times, places it has occurred; name of perpetrator(s); witnesses to the incident(s); and the victim's response to the incident.

If, after appropriate investigation, the district finds that a student or an employee has violated this policy, prompt corrective action will be taken in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, applicable collective bargaining agreement, district policy and/or state law. If the reported behavior constitutes a violation of any other anti-discrimination policy (e.g. Title Vi, Title IX, Section 504/ Title II ADA, etc.), the investigation under this policy shall be coordinated with such other investigation.

Confidentiality

It is district policy to respect the privacy of all parties and witnesses to complaints of bullying. To the extent possible, the district will not release the details of a complaint or the identity of the complainant or the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed to any third parties who do not need to know such information. However, because an individual's need for confidentiality must be balanced with the district's legal obligation to provide due process to the accused, to conduct a thorough investigation, or to take necessary action to resolve the complaint, the district retains the right to disclose the identity of parties and witnesses to individuals with a need to know. The staff member responsible for investigating complaints will discuss confidentiality standards and concerns with all complainants.

If a complainant requests that his/her name not be revealed to the individual(s) against whom a complaint is filed, the staff member responsible for conducting the investigation shall inform the complainant that:

  1. The request may limit the district's ability to respond to the complaint;
  2. District policy and federal law prohibit retaliation against complainants and witnesses;
  3. The district will attempt to prevent any retaliation;
  4. The district will take strong responsive action if retaliation occurs;

If the complainant still requests confidentiality after being given the notice above, the investigator will take all reasonable steps to investigate and respond to the complaint consistent with the request as long as doing so does not preclude the district from responding effectively to the bullying and preventing the bullying of other students. If/when it becomes apparent that identity must be revealed in order to resolve the complaint, the investigator will inform the complainant, if possible, before proceeding.

Investigation and Resolution Procedure

  1. Initial (Building-level) Procedure

    Whenever a complaint of bullying is received whether verbal or written, it will be subject to a preliminary review and investigation. Any staff member who is not the DASA coordinator and who receives a complaint must notify the principal, superintendent or the building level DASA coordinator of the complaint orally within one school day and report it in writing within two school days after making an oral report Except in the case of severe or criminal conduct, the principal or other administrator should make all reasonable efforts to resolve complaints informally at the school level. The goal of informal procedures is to end the bullying and obtain a prompt and equitable resolution to a complaint.

    As soon as possible but no later than three working days following receipt of a complaint, the principal or Building DASA Coordinator shall begin an investigation of the complaint by:

    • Reviewing any written documentation provided by the victim(s).
    • Conducting separate interviews of the victim(s), alleged perpetrator(s), and witnesses, if any, and documenting the conversations.
    • Providing the alleged perpetrator(s) a chance to respond and notify him/her that if objectionable behavior has occurred, it must cease immediately and that the individual may be subject to discipline.
    • Insuring that the District's DASA complaint form is completed

    Where appropriate, informal methods may be used to resolve the complaint, including but not limited to:

    1. discussion with the accused, informing him or her of the district's policies and indicating that the behavior must stop;
    2. suggesting counseling, skill building activities and/or sensitivity training;
    3. conducting training for the department or school in which the behavior occurred, calling attention to the consequences of engaging in such behavior;
    4. writing letters of caution or reprimand; and/or
    5. separating the parties.

    Appropriate disciplinary action shall be recommended and imposed in accordance with the District's Student Code of Conduct.

    The Principal or Building DASA Coordinator shall report back to the victim, the accused, and when appropriate their parents/guardians, notifying them in person and/or in writing, as appropriate, regarding the outcome of the investigation and the action taken to resolve the complaint, to the extent allowed by student privacy rights. The victim shall report immediately if the objectionable behavior occurs again or if the alleged perpetrator retaliates against him/her.

    In addition, where the Principal or Building DASA Coordinator has a reasonable suspicion that the alleged bullying incident involves criminal activity, he/she shall immediately report the same to the police and the Superintendent or his/her designee. A written notice of the same shall be filed with the Superintendent or his/her designee within one day.

    Any party who is not satisfied with the outcome of the initial investigation by the Principal or Building DASA Coordinator may request a district-level appeal by submitting a written appeals document to the Superintendent within 30 days from the receipt of the report by the principal or Building DASA Coordinator.

  2. District-level Procedure

    The Superintendent or his/her designee shall promptly review appeals regarding complaints that are referred to him/her following an initial investigation by a principal or Building DASA Coordinator. In the event the complaint involves the Superintendent, the appeal of the complaint shall be filed with the Board of Education for its review.

    No later than 30 days following receipt of the complaint, the Superintendent (or in cases involving the Superintendent, the Board-appointed investigator) will notify the victim and alleged perpetrator, in writing, of the outcome of the Appeal. If additional time is needed to take appropriate action, the Superintendent or Board will provide all parties with a written status report within 30 days following receipt of the appeal.

Retaliation Prohibited

Any act of retaliation against any person who has filed a complaint or who attempts to prevent bullying behavior, is prohibited and illegal, and therefore subject to disciplinary action. Likewise, retaliation against any person who has testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing of a bullying complaint is prohibited. For purposes of this policy, retaliation includes but is not limited to: verbal or physical threats, intimidation, ridicule, bribes, destruction of property, spreading rumors, stalking, and any other form of harassment, whether in person, by phone, or by any other electronic means of communication. Any person who retaliates is subject to immediate disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or termination.

Discipline/Penalties

Any student who violates this policy by engaging in prohibited bullying/discrimination or any employee, volunteer, or visitor who engages in or who fails to respond to known events of bullying or discrimination will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Disciplinary measures available to school authorities include, but are not limited to the following:

Students: Discipline may range from a loss of privileges up to and including suspension from school, to be imposed consistent with the Student Code of Conduct and discipline policy and applicable law.

Employees: Discipline may range from a warning up to and including termination, to be imposed consistent with all applicable contractual and statutory rights.

Training

All students and employees shall be informed of this policy annually in student and employee handbooks, on the district website and/or in student registration materials. A poster summarizing the policy shall also be posted in a prominent location at each school.

All employees shall receive information about this policy and regulation at least once a year. Administrative employees and other staff, such as counselors or social workers, who have specific responsibilities for investigating and/or resolving complaints of bullying shall receive yearly training to support implementation of this policy, regulation and on related legal developments.

Principals in each school shall be responsible for informing students and staff on a yearly basis of the terms of this policy, including the procedures for filing a complaint and the impact of bullying on the victim and bystanders.

Training needs in support of this bullying prevention and intervention program will be reflected in the district's annual professional development plan, in curriculum and will be considered in the budget process.

Administrative Regulation

Approved by the Superintendent: August 29, 2014