The Governing Board is committed to maintaining a safe school environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. The Board prohibits sexual harassment of students at school or at school-sponsored or school-related activities. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against any person who files a complaint, testifies, or otherwise participates in district complaint processes.
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
(cf. 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures)
(cf. 4119.11/4219.11/4319.11 - Sexual Harassment)
(cf. 5131 - Conduct)
(cf. 5131.2 - Bullying)
(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)
(cf. 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment)
(cf. 6142.1 - Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Instruction)
Instruction/Information
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that all district students receive age-appropriate instruction and information on sexual harassment. Such instruction and information shall include:
1. What acts and behavior constitute sexual harassment, including the fact that sexual harassment could occur between people of the same sex and could involve sexual violence
2. A clear message that students do not have to endure sexual harassment
3. Encouragement to report observed instances of sexual harassment, even where the victim of the harassment has not complained
4. Information about the district's procedure for investigating complaints and the person(s) to whom a report of sexual harassment should be made
5. Information about the rights of students and parents/guardians to file a criminal complaint, as applicable
Complaint Process
Any student who feels that he/she is being or has been sexually harassed on school grounds or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity (e.g., by a visiting athlete or coach) shall immediately contact his/her teacher or any other employee. An employee who receives such a complaint shall report it in accordance with administrative regulation.
(cf. 1312.1 - Complaints Concerning District Employees)
(cf. 5141.4 - Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting)
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that any complaints regarding sexual harassment are immediately investigated in accordance with administrative regulation. When the Superintendent or designee has determined that harassment has occurred, he/she shall take prompt, appropriate action to end the harassment and to address its effects on the victim.
Disciplinary Actions
Any student who engages in sexual harassment or sexual violence at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity is in violation of this policy and shall be subject to disciplinary action. For students in grades 4-12, disciplinary action may include suspension and/or expulsion, provided that, in imposing such discipline, the entire circumstances of the incident(s) shall be taken into account.
(cf. 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)
(cf. 5144.2 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process (Students with Disabilities))
Confidentiality and Record-Keeping
All complaints and allegations of sexual harassment shall be kept confidential except as necessary to carry out the investigation or take other subsequent necessary action. (5 CCR 4964)
(cf. 4119.23/4219.23/4319.23 - Unauthorized Release of Confidential/Privileged Information)
(cf. 5125 - Student Records)
The Superintendent or designee shall maintain a record of all reported cases of sexual harassment to enable the district to monitor, address, and prevent repetitive harassing behavior in the schools.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
200-262.4 Prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex
48900 Grounds for suspension or expulsion
48900.2 Additional grounds for suspension or expulsion; sexual harassment
48904 Liability of parent/guardian for willful student misconduct
48980 Notice at beginning of term
CIVIL CODE
51.9 Liability for sexual harassment; business, service and professional relationships
1714.1 Liability of parents/guardians for willful misconduct of minor
GOVERNMENT CODE
12950.1 Sexual harassment training
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
4600-4687 Uniform complaint procedures
4900-4965 Nondiscrimination in elementary and secondary education programs
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1681-1688 Title IX, discrimination
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42
1983 Civil action for deprivation of rights
2000d-2000d-7 Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964
2000e-2000e-17 Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 34
106.1-106.71 Nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in education programs
COURT DECISIONS
Donovan v. Poway Unified School District, (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 567
Flores v. Morgan Hill Unified School District, (2003, 9th Cir.) 324 F.3d 1130
Reese v. Jefferson School District, (2001, 9th Cir.) 208 F.3d 736
Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education, (1999) 526 U.S. 629
Gebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District, (1998) 524 U.S. 274
Oona by Kate S. v. McCaffrey, (1998, 9th Cir.) 143 F.3d 473
Doe v. Petaluma City School District, (1995, 9th Cir.) 54 F.3d 1447
Management Resources:
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
Safe Schools: Strategies for Governing Boards to Ensure Student Success, 2011
Providing a Safe, Nondiscriminatory School Environment for All Students, Policy Brief, April 2010
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS PUBLICATIONS
Dear Colleague Letter: Sexual Violence, April 4, 2011
Sexual Harassment: It's Not Academic, September 2008
Revised Sexual Harassment Guidance, January 2001
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr
Policy BELLEVUE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: June 7, 2013 Santa Rosa, California