Bullying Policy
Policy 249- Bullying/Cyberbullying
Purpose
The Board is committed to providing a safe, positive learning environment for district students. The Board recognizes that bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, detracts from the safe environment necessary for student learning, and may lead to more serious violence. Therefore, the Board prohibits bullying by district students.
Definitions
Bullying involves an imbalance of power and it includes intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical series of acts directed at another student or students, which occurs in a school setting or causes disruption of the orderly operation of the school that is severe, persistent or pervasive and has the effect of doing any of the following:[1]
- Interference with a student's education.
- Creation of a threatening or harmful environment.
School setting means in the school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated bus stop or at any activity sponsored, supervised or sanctioned by the school. School setting further includes any district owned device or network used in any location.[1]
Authority
The Board prohibits all forms of bullying by district students.[1]
The Board encourages students who have been bullied or witnessed bullying to promptly report such incidents to the building principal or designee.
The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with the district’s legal and investigative obligations. No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying.
Delegation of Responsibility
Each student shall be responsible to respect the rights of others and to ensure an atmosphere free from bullying.
The Superintendent or designee shall develop administrative regulations to implement this policy.
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that this policy and administrative regulations are reviewed annually with students.[1]
The Superintendent or designee, in cooperation with other appropriate administrators, shall review this policy every three (3) years and recommend necessary revisions to the Board.[1]
District administration shall annually provide the following information with the Safe School Report:[1]
- Board's Bullying Policy.
- Report of bullying incidents.
- Information on the development and implementation of any bullying prevention, intervention or education programs.
Guidelines
The Code of Student Conduct, which shall contain this policy, shall be disseminated annually to students.[1][2][3]
This policy shall be accessible in every classroom. The policy shall be posted in a prominent location within each school building and on the district website, if available.
Education
The district may develop and implement bullying prevention and intervention programs. Such programs shall provide district staff and students with appropriate training for effectively responding to, intervening in and reporting incidents of bullying.[4][1][5]
Consequences for Violations
A student who violates this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action consistent with the Code of Student Conduct, which may include:[1][3][6]
- Counseling within the school.
- Parental conference.
- Loss of school privileges.
- Transfer of classroom or school bus.
- Exclusion from school-sponsored activities.
- Detention.
- Suspension.
- Expulsion.
- Transfer to another school building.
- Referral to law enforcement officials.