HARASSMENT INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES

Harassment of employees and students will not be tolerated in the school district.  School district includes school district facilities, school district premises, and nonschool property if the employee or student is at any school sponsored, school approved or school related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the control of the school district or where the employee is engaged in school business.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to, racial, religious, national origin, age, disability and sexual harassment.  Harassment by board members, administrators, employees, parents, vendors, and others doing business with the school district is prohibited.  Employees whose behavior is alleged to be in violation of this policy will be subject to the investigation procedure which may result in discipline, up to and including, discharge or other appropriate action.  Other individuals whose behavior is alleged to be in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate sanctions as determined and imposed by the superintendent or board.

Sexual harassment shall include, but not be limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

          ·           submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment;

          ·           submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual; or

          ·           such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

Other types of harassment may include, but not be limited to, jokes, stories, pictures or objects that are offensive, tend to alarm, annoy, abuse or demean certain individuals and groups.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

An employee or student who believes that they have been harassed shall notify  the designated investigator.   The investigator may request that the employee or student complete the Harassment Complaint form and turn over evidence of the harassment, including, but not limited to, letters, tapes, or pictures.  Information received during the investigation shall be kept confidential to the extent possible.

The investigator, with the approval of the superintendent, or the superintendent has the authority to initiate a harassment investigation in the absence of a written complaint.

INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE

The investigator shall reasonably and promptly commence the investigation upon receipt of the complaint.  The investigator shall interview the complainant and the alleged harasser.  The alleged harasser may file a written statement refuting or explaining the behavior outlined in the complaint.  The investigator may also interview witnesses as deemed appropriate.

Upon completion of the investigation, the investigator shall report to the superintendent.  The investigator will outline the findings of the investigation to the superintendent.

RESOLUTION OF THE COMPLAINT

The superintendent will complete the next step in the investigation reasonably and promptly upon receipt of the investigator's report.  Following the investigator's report, the superintendent may investigate further, if deemed necessary, and make a determination of the appropriate next step which may include discipline up to and including discharge.

Prior to the determination of the appropriate remedial action, the superintendent may, at the superintendent's discretion, interview the complainant and the alleged harasser.  The superintendent shall file a written report closing the case.  The complainant, the alleged harasser and the investigator shall receive notice as to the conclusion of the investigation.

POINTS TO REMEMBER IN THE INVESTIGATION

          ·           Evidence uncovered in the investigation is confidential.

          ·           Complaints must be taken seriously and investigated.

          ·           No retaliation will be taken against individuals involved in the investigation process.

          ·           Retaliators will be disciplined up to and including discharge.

CONFLICTS

If the investigator is the alleged harasser or a witness to the incident, the alternate investigator shall be the investigator.

If the alleged harasser is the superintendent, the alternate investigator shall take the superintendent's place in the investigation process.  The alternate investigator shall report the findings to the board.

Approved:    2/10/97                        Reviewed:    1/99             

                                                                          12/01          

                                                                          5/06

                                                                            4/11

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