(See also Hazing, Non-Discrimination, Safe School Committees, Sexual Harassment, Student Bullying, and Title IX)

Bullying, harassment, intimidation, and threatening behavior constitute unethical and/or unacceptable employee conduct that will not be tolerated at any level. All District employees are strictly prohibited from engaging in any form of bullying, harassment, intimidation, or threatening behavior of any other employee or student.  Any District employee engaging in bullying, harassment, intimidation, or threatening behavior is subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, employee suspension, demotion, forfeiture of pay or benefits, and termination. Such penalties shall be imposed based on the facts taken as a whole and the totality of the circumstances such as the nature, extent, context, and gravity of such activities or incidents.  

Bullying means any pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal or electronic communication directed toward a student, adult or group that results in or is reasonably perceived as being done with the intent to cause negative educational or physical results for the targeted individual or group and is communicated in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school’s educational mission, the education of any student, or the workplace. A reasonable person should know that these expressions, communications or acts will harm another student or employee, damage property, place another student or employee in fear of harm to their person or property, or demean the student or employee. Threatening behavior includes any pattern of behavior or isolated action, whether or not it is directed at another person, that a reasonable person would believe indicates potential for future harm to students, District employees, or District property.  

The District prohibits bullying, harassment, intimidation, and threatening behavior on District grounds, in District vehicles, at school sponsored activities or at school-sanctioned events.  Bullying, harassment, intimidation, and threatening behavior by electronic communication is prohibited whether or not such communication originated at school or with school equipment, if the communication is specifically directed at a District student or employee and concerns bullying at school or in the workplace. When specific allegations of harassment of a sexual, racial, or religious nature, or due to a disability are filed, the Office of Human Resources will conduct a thorough investigation. A supervisor or designee will investigate other allegations of bullying or harassment and, when appropriate, provide education or information about available support services, and/or discipline related to such behavior.

Individuals bring different levels of sensitivity to interaction. What may seem harmless, trivial, or “all in good fun” to one person may be extremely offensive to the person to whom the comments or actions are directed. In determining what a “reasonable person” should recognize as bullying, District staff will consider the point of view of the intended target. District staff may also consider the discipline history and physical characteristics of the alleged bully.

The District is committed to providing appropriate and relevant training to District employees regarding identification of behavior constituting student or employee bullying, harassment, intimidation, and threatening behavior and the prevention and management of such conduct.  Also included in such education programs will be the District’s prohibition of such conduct, the reasons why the conduct is destructive, unacceptable and a pathway that may lead to disciplinary action.

It is an important duty of District employees to report acts or behavior that the employee witnesses that appears to constitute bullying, harassment, intimidation, or threatening behavior.  All District employees shall encourage students who tell them about such acts to complete a District report form.  For young students, District employees given that information will need to provide direct assistance to the student.  District employees who hear of incidents that may, in the employee’s judgment, constitute bullying, harassment, intimidation, or threatening behavior, will report all relevant information to the supervisor or designee.  

Revised by the Board of Education June 2009

Revised June 2012

Revised December 2013

Revised April 2016