This district is committed to a positive and productive education free from discrimination, including sexual harassment. This commitment extends to all students involved in academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of the school, whether that program or activity is in a school facility, on school transportation or at a class or school training held elsewhere.

For purposes of this policy, sexual harassment means unwelcome conduct or communication of a sexual nature.  Sexual harassment can occur adult to student, student to student or can be carried out by a group of students or adults and will be investigated by the District even if the alleged harasser is not a part of the school staff or student body.  The district prohibits sexual harassment of students by other students, employees or third parties involved in school district activities.

Under federal and state law, examples of “sexual harassment” includes but is not limited to:

• unwelcome sexual or gender-directed conduct or communication that interferes with an individual’s educational performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment
• unwelcome sexual advances
• sexual demands when submission is a stated or implied condition of obtaining an educational benefit
• sexual demands where submission or rejection is a factor in an academic, or other school-related decision affecting an individual
• pressuring a person for sexual favors
• writing graffiti of a sexual nature
• distributing sexually explicit texts, e-mails, or pictures
• making sexual jokes, rumors, or suggestive remarks
• physical violence, including rape and sexual assault

A “hostile environment” has been created for a student when sexual harassment is sufficiently serious to interfere with or limit the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the school’s program. The more severe the conduct, the less need there is to demonstrate a repetitive series of incidents.  In fact, a single or isolated incident of sexual harassment may create a hostile environment if the incident is sufficiently severe, violent, or egregious. 

A student can report sexual harassment to any school staff member. You also have the right to file a complaint. For a copy of the district’s sexual harassment policy and procedure, contact the school or district office, or view Policy 3205 online.