Student Bullying
The Board recognizes that bullying and cyberbullying significantly interfere with the learning process. Through this Policy, the Board prohibits bullying "at school," as defined below, as well as off-campus conduct that is likely lead to a material or substantial disruption of the school learning environment for one or more students.
This Policy is intended to protect all students from bullying, including cyberbullying, regardless of the subject matter or motivation for the behavior. The Board, through this Policy, also prohibits retaliation or false accusations against a target of bullying, as well as a witness or another person with reliable information about an act of bullying. The identity of an individual who reports an act of bullying shall remain confidential.
In order that this Policy be properly implemented, the Board directs that:
Implementation
Responsible School Official. The Principal of each school building is primarily responsible for implementing this Policy for the school to which he or she is assigned.
Publication. The Superintendent shall revise the District's Student Code of Conduct, consistent with this Policy, to specifically prohibit bullying and cyberbullying, as defined below. The Superintendent is directed to post this Policy on the District's website.
Reporting. The Superintendent shall report to the Board of Education, on an annual basis, all verified incidents of bullying, and the resulting consequences that were imposed.
Administrative Regulations. The Superintendent shall promulgate such administrative regulations as he/she may deem necessary for the implementation of this Policy. The regulations shall include all of the following:
- A procedure for an individual to report an act of bullying;
- A procedure for the prompt investigation of a report of an act of bullying by the building principal or his/her designee;
- A procedure for providing notification to the parent or guardian of both the claimed victim of an act of bullying and the parent or guardian of the alleged perpetrator;
- A procedure to protect the confidentiality of a person making a report of bullying;
- A procedure for documenting any prohibited bullying incident that is reported; and
- A procedure for the Superintendent to report to the Board of Education, on an annual basis, all verified incidents of bullying, and the resulting consequences that were imposed.
Definitions. The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this Policy:
"Bullying" means any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, including, but not limited to, cyberbullying, that is intended or that a reasonable person would know is likely to harm one or more District students, either directly or indirectly, by doing any of the following:
- Substantially interfering with educational opportunities, benefits or programs;
- Adversely affecting a student's ability to participate in or benefit from educational programs or activities by placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing substantial emotional distress;
- Having an actual and substantial detrimental effect on a student's physical or mental health; or,
- Causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.
"At school" means in a classroom, anywhere else on school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle and at a school-sponsored activity or event, whether or not the activity or event is held on school premises. "At school" includes the off-premises use of a telecommunications access device or telecommunications service provider if the device or service provider is owned by or under the control of the District.
"Cyberbullying" means any electronic communication that is intended or that a reasonable person would know is likely to harm one or more pupils either directly or indirectly by doing any of the following:
- Substantially interfering with educational opportunities, benefits or programs;
- Adversely affecting a student's ability to participate in or benefit from educational programs or activities by placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or by causing substantial emotional distress;
- Having an actual and substantial detrimental effect on a student's physical or mental health; or
- Causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school.
Accountability. Each student in the School District is accountable for his/her own behavior, based on age-appropriate expectations. Respect for all students is part of a safe and healthy learning environment. Each student is expected to demonstrate respect through their interactions with the give-and-take of friendships, group cooperation, social interaction, compromise and acceptance of differences among other students and staff.
Retaliation. Retaliation against a target of bullying, a witness, another person with reliable information about an act of bullying or any person who reports, is thought to have reported, files a complaint, or otherwise participates in an investigation or inquiry concerning allegations of bullying is prohibited and will not be tolerated. Such retaliation shall be considered a serious violation of Board policy independent of whether a complaint is found to have been substantiated. Suspected reprisal or retaliation should be reported in the same manner as bullying.
Making intentionally false reports about bullying for the purpose of getting someone in trouble is similarly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
Retaliation and intentionally false reports may result in disciplinary action.
The Superintendent is directed to implement this Policy and is authorized and directed to promulgate such administrative regulations as may be deemed necessary.