SUBJECT: Diversity, Discrimination And Anti-Harassment Policy
Applicable to District Employees And Students
The South Country Central School District's Board of Education recognizes and takes pride in the diversity of its school community. Affirming and respecting the differences that define the District, the Board of Education commits to fostering an environment free from discrimination. All students and staff members deserve to learn and work in an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance.
It is the belief of the Board of Education that everyone is entitled to work and learn in an environment that demonstrates respect, tolerance and compassion for all. Our goal is to assist our students in achieving to their fullest potential within a community that values its diversity.
It is the position of the Board of Education that any and all acts of violence, intimidation, harassment and/or discrimination related to but not limited to individual’s membership in a protected class, including race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, sex, age, marital or veteran status, disability, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation or physical characteristics, by pupils, school personnel, school volunteers and non-employees such as contractors and vendors as well as any third parties who are participating in, observing, or otherwise engaging in activities subject to the supervision and control of the District are unacceptable, intolerable and not congruent with the philosophy of the South Country Central School District.
The Board also prohibits retaliation based on an individual's opposition to discrimination or participation in a related investigation or complaint proceeding under the anti-discrimination statutes. This policy of nondiscrimination and anti-harassment will be enforced on School District premises and in school buildings; and at all school-sponsored events, programs and activities, including those that take place at locations off school premises, to the extent the District has authority over such events, programs and activities.
In accordance with the mandate of the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the establishment of religion and protecting the free exercise thereof and freedom of speech it is the policy of this District that the Schools will, at all times and in all ways, be neutral in matters of religion. This means that the District Schools:
-will assume no role or responsibility for the religious training of any student; and
-will in no way become involved in the religious belief, disbelief or doubt of any student.
This requirement of neutrality need not preclude nor hinder the District’s schools in fulfilling their responsibility to educate students to be tolerant and respectful of religious diversity. The School District also recognizes that one of its educational responsibilities is to advance the students’ knowledge and appreciation of the role that religion has played in the social, cultural, and historical development of civilization.
Therefore, the School District will approach religion from an objective, curriculum-related perspective, encouraging all students and staff members to be aware of the diversity of beliefs and
respectful of each other’s religious and/or non-religious views. In that spirit of respect, students and staff members should be excused from participating in activities that are contrary to their religious beliefs unless there are clear issues of compelling public interest that would prevent it. Nothing in this policy shall be deemed to prohibit voluntary prayer or expression of religious beliefs in a manner consistent with this and other policies of the District.
Communications for school events and celebrations that represent the school community will reflect the South Country Central School district’s sensitivity to diversity and its basic educational mission.
It is intended that this policy apply to the dealings between or among employees with employees; employees with students; students with students; employees/students with vendors/contractors and others who do business with the School District, as well as school volunteers, visitors, guests and other third parties to the extent the District has authority or control over such individuals at the time the discriminatory acts are committed. All of these persons are hereinafter referred to collectively as "the named group."
For purposes of this policy, harassment shall mean communication (verbal, written or graphic) and/or physical conduct based on an individual's actual or perceived membership in a protected class including race, color, creed, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, or disability that:
Has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual's
work performance or is used as a basis for employment decisions (including terms and conditions of employment) affecting such individual; and/or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment;
b) Has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with a student's academic performance or participation in an educational or extracurricular activity, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning environment; and/or effectively bars the student's access to an educational opportunity or benefit;
c) Otherwise adversely affects the employment and/or educational opportunities and benefits provided by the District.
Prohibited harassment also includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a discriminatory nature, where
a) Submission to such conduct is made a term or condition of employment and/or educational opportunities or benefits;
b) Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment and/or educational decisions affecting the individual.
Harassment directed against an individual because of the individual’s protected classification is prohibited, regardless of whether the harassment is overtly sexual or otherwise discriminatory in it’s content.
The School District will act to promptly investigate all complaints, either verbal or written, formal or informal, of allegations of harassment based on any of the characteristics described above; and will promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further harassment.
In order for the Board to enforce this policy, and to take corrective measures as may be necessary, it is essential that any employee, student, or other member of the above named group who believes he/she has been a victim of harassment in the school environment and/or at programs, activities and events under the control and supervision of the District, as well as any individual who is aware of and/or who has knowledge of, or witnesses any possible occurrence of harassment, immediately report such alleged harassment; such report shall be directed to or forwarded to the Principal or the District Compliance Officer using the District’s Consolidated Complaint form and procedures (regulation 6000). Such complaints are to be in writing, although verbal complaints of alleged harassment will also be promptly investigated in accordance with the terms of this policy. The Principal or designee or Compliance Officer will assist those students and others who need help filling out the complaint form. The complaint will be filled with the Principal or the District Compliance Officer, unless either are the alleged offender. In such cases the report will be directed to the next level of supervisory authority.
Upon receipt of a complaint, the District will conduct a thorough investigation of the charges. However, even in the absence of a complaint, if the District has knowledge of any occurrence of harassment, the District will investigate such conduct promptly and thoroughly. To the extent possible, within legal constraints, all complaints will be treated as confidentially and privately as possible. However, disclosure may be necessary to complete a thorough investigation of the charges and/or to notify law enforcement officials as warranted, and any disclosure will be provided on a "need to know" basis.
Based upon the results of this investigation, if the District determines that an employee and/or student has violated the terms of this policy and/or accompanying regulations, immediate corrective action will be taken as warranted. Should the offending individual be a student, appropriate disciplinary measures will be applied, up to and including suspension, in accordance with applicable laws and/or regulations, District policy and regulation, and the District Code of Conduct. Should the offending individual be a school employee, appropriate disciplinary measures will be applied, up to and including termination of the offender's employment, in accordance with legal guidelines, District policy and regulation. Third parties (such as school volunteers, vendors, etc.) who are found to have violated this policy and/or accompanying regulations and/or the Code of Conduct, will be subject to appropriate sanctions as warranted and in compliance with law. The application of such disciplinary measures by the District does not preclude the filing of civil and/or criminal charges as may be warranted.
The Board prohibits any retaliatory behavior directed against complainants, victims, witnesses, and/or any other individuals who participated in the investigation of a complaint of harassment. Follow-up inquiries shall be made to ensure that harassment has not resumed and that all those involved in the investigation of the harassment complaint have not suffered retaliation.
The Superintendent/designee(s) such as Principals and Assistant Principals will affirmatively discuss the topic of harassment with all employees and students, express the District's condemnation of such conduct, and explain the sanctions for such harassment. Appropriate training and/or "awareness" programs will be established for staff and students to help ensure knowledge of and familiarity with the issues pertaining to harassment in the schools, and to disseminate preventative measures to help reduce such incidents of prohibited conduct. Furthermore, special training will be provided for designated supervisors Principals, Assistant Principals and other managerial employees, as may be necessary, for the investigation of harassment complaints.
A copy of this policy and its accompanying regulations will be available upon request and will be posted at various locations in each school building along with other notices required by law to be posted. The District's policy and regulations on anti-harassment will be published in appropriate school publications such as teacher/employee handbooks, student handbooks, and/or school calendars.
This policy should not be read to abrogate other District policies and/or regulations or the District Code of Conduct prohibiting other forms of unlawful discrimination, inappropriate behavior, and/or hate crimes within this District. It is the intent of the District that all such policies and/or regulations be read consistently to provide the highest level of protection from unlawful discrimination in the provision of employment/educational services and opportunities. However, different treatment of any member of the above named group which has a legitimate, legal and nondiscriminatory reason shall not be considered a violation of District policy.
Title IX and Section 504 Compliance Officer
Additionally the Board shall ensure compliance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The Superintendent shall designate a District employee as the Title IX/Section 504/ADA Compliance Officer and regulations and procedures shall be implemented to resolve complaints of discrimination based on sex or disability.
The Title IX/Section 504/ADA Coordinator hall also be responsible for handling complaints regarding discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, age, genetic predisposition, veteran or marital status.
Each school year, the District shall issue appropriate information that advises students, parents/guardians, and employees of the District’s established consolidated complaint procedures for resolving complaints of discrimination based on sex or disability. Included in such announcement will be the name, address and telephone number of the Title IX/Section 504 ADA Compliance Officer.
All inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Building Principals or the District Compliance Officer (Also Section 504/ Title IX Compliance Officer), Dr. Timothy P. Regan. Assistant Superintendent for Human Recourses.