Overview of the Hernando County School District Anti-

Bullying and Harassment Policy

January 2009

Hernando Anti Bullying and Harassment Policy

School staff and employees must have an educational/work setting that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and bullying of any kind

The District will not tolerate bullying and harassment of any type

Conduct That Constitutes Bullying & Harassment

Systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees

Unwanted and repeated written, verbal, or physical behavior, including any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gestures by a student or adult that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment

Bullying may also include: Unwanted teasing Social exclusion Threat Intimidation Stalking Physical violence Theft Sexual, religious, or racial harassment Public humiliation Destruction of property

Harassment

Threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gestures, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal, or physical conduct directed against a student or employee that:

Places a student or employee in a reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property

Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance

Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school or work place.

Bullying & Harassment Also Encompasses

Retaliation against a student or employee by another student or employee for asserting or alleging an act of bullying or harassment

Reporting an act of bullying or harassment that is not made in good faith

Accessing or knowingly and willingly causing or providing access to data or computer software through a computer, computer system, or computer network within the scope of the school district system

Any harassment prohibited under state and federal law

Cyber Stalking

To engage in a course of conduct to communicate, or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or languages by or through the use of a electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific person, causing substantial emotional distress to that person and serving no legitimate purpose

Expectation

The Hernando County School District expects students to conduct themselves as appropriate for their level of development, maturity, and demonstrated capabilities with a proper regard to the rights and welfare of other students and school staff

School Administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers will demonstrate appropriate behavior, treat others with civility and respect, and refuse to tolerate bullying or harassment.

Bullying & Harassment of Any Student or Employee is Prohibited

During any educational program or activity conducted in our schools

During any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity

On a school bus of a public educational institution

Through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network operated by the Hernando County School system

Consequences

Consequences for students range from positive behavior interventions up to, but not limited to expulsion, as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and this policy

Consequences for an employee found to have committed an act of bullying or harassing will be instituted in accordance with the District policies, procedures, and agreements

Egregious acts of bullying or harassing by a certified educator may result in sanctions against the educator’s certificate

A visitor or volunteer who has been found to have committed an act of bullying or harassing shall be dealt with by the site administrator and may include reporting to the appropriate law enforcement official

Reporting an Act of Bullying or Harassment

The principal or the administrator designee are responsible for receiving oral and written complaints alleging violation of this policy

All employees are required to report in writing, any allegations of bullying and violations of this policy to the site administrator

Failure to report will result in actions or discipline consistent with the School Board Policy up to and including termination of employment

Any member of the school district who has credible information that an act of bullying or harassment has taken place is encouraged to file a report whether a victim or witness

The student and/or the parent who believes the child is bullied or has knowledge of an incident has 30 school days after the last alleged incident of bullying or harassment to report

Failure on the part of the complainant to initiate a complaint within this period may result in the complaint be deemed abandoned

A school district employee, school volunteer, contractor, student, parent, or other person who promptly reports in good faith an act of bullying or harassment and makes this report in compliance with the procedure is immune from a cause of action for damages arising out of the reporting itself or any failure to remedy the report incident

Submission of a good faith compliant or report or bullying will not affect the complainant’s or reporter’s future employment, grades, learning or work environment, or work assignments within the Hernando County School System

Any written or oral reporting of an act of bullying or harassment shall be considered an official means of reporting such acts

Reports may be made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action may not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report

Reporting an Act of Bullying or Harassment - continued

Investigating and Resolution

The site administrator shall document all complaints in writing and/or through the designated data system to ensure that problems are addressed in a timely manner

School officials should investigate all complaints and reports of bullying or harassment, whether or not the complaint is in writing

If the complaint is about the site administrator or the staff member’s direct supervisor, then the Superintendent’s designee shall be asked to address the complaint

The site administrator selects a designee(s), employed by the school, trained in investigative procedures to initiate the investigation

The designee may not be the accused perpetrator (harasser or bully) or victim

The site administrator’s designee shall begin a thorough investigation within five (5) school/work days of receiving a notification of complaint

During the investigation, the site administrator may take appropriate action to protect the complainant, other students, or employees consistent with the requirements of applicable regulations and statutes

In general, student complainants will continue attendance at the same school while the investigation is conducted and the complaint is pending resolution

Documented interviews of the victim, alleged perpetrator, and witnesses are conducted privately, separately, and are confidential

Each individual (victim, alleged perpetrator, and witnesses) will be interviewed separately and at no time will the alleged perpetrator and victim be interviewed together

Investigating and Resolution

Referral for External Investigation

If the behavior/conduct that is subject to a report, or complaint is not within the District’s jurisdiction, referral to the appropriate agency shall be made immediately, the parent will be notified (if applicable), and the referral documented by the site administrator in the designated data system