Our District

Policy 5011
Management Support

Sexual Harassment

This district is committed to a positive and productive education and working environment free from discrimination, including sexual harassment. The district prohibits sexual harassment of students, employees and others involved in school district activities.

Sexual harassment occurs when:

1. Submitting to the harasser's sexual demands is a stated or implied condition of obtaining an education or work opportunity or other benefit;

2. Submission to or rejection of sexual demands is a factor in an academic, work or other school-related decision affecting an individual; or

3. Unwelcome sexual or gender-directed conduct or communication interferes with an individual's performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Sexual harassment can occur adult to student, student to adult, student to student, adult to adult, male to female, female to male, male to male and female to female.

The district will take prompt, equitable and remedial action within its authority on reports, complaints and grievances alleging sexual harassment that come to the attention of the district, either formally or informally. Allegations of criminal misconduct will be reported to law enforcement and suspected child abuse will be reported to law enforcement or Child Protective Services. Persons found to have been subjected to sexual harassment will have appropriate school district services made reasonably available to them and adverse consequences of the harassment will be reviewed and remedied, as appropriate.

Engaging in sexual harassment will result in appropriate discipline or other appropriate sanctions against offending students, staff and contractors. Anyone else who engages in sexual harassment on school property or at school activities will have their access to school property and activities restricted, as appropriate.

Retaliation against any person who makes or is a witness in a sexual harassment complaint is prohibited and will result in appropriate discipline. The district will take appropriate actions to protect involved persons from retaliation.

It is a violation of this policy to knowingly report false allegations of sexual harassment. Persons found to knowingly report or corroborate false allegations will be subject to appropriate discipline.

The superintendent will develop and implement formal and informal procedures for receiving, investigating and resolving complaints or reports of sexual harassment. The procedures will include reasonable and prompt time lines and delineate staff responsibilities under this policy. All staff are responsible for receiving informal complaints and reports of sexual harassment and informing appropriate district personnel of the complaint or report for investigation and resolution. All staff are also responsible for directing complainants to the formal complaint process.

The superintendent will develop procedures to provide age-appropriate information and education to district staff, students, parents and volunteers regarding this policy and the recognition and prevention of sexual harassment. At a minimum sexual harassment recognition and prevention and the elements of this policy will be included in staff, student and regular volunteer orientation. This policy will be posted in each district building in a place available to staff, students, parents, volunteers and visitors. The policy will be reproduced in each student, staff, volunteer and parent handbook.

The superintendent will make an annual report to the board reviewing the use and efficacy of this policy and related procedures. Recommendations for changes to this policy, if applicable, will be included in the report. The superintendent is encouraged to involve staff, students, and volunteers and parents in the review process.

Cross References:       Board Policy  3207                        Prohibition of Harrassment, Intimidation and Bullying  
                                                           3210                        Nondiscrimination
                                                           3240                        Student Conduct
                                                           3241                        Child Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Prevention
                                                           5010                        Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action
                                                           5281                        Disciplinary Action and Discharge

 Management Resources:   
                                    Policy News, October 2011           Policy Manual Revisions

Adoption Date: March 27, 2003
Curlew School District #50
Revised: 4.09;3.11