Sexual Harassment of Staff

File: ACC

This district is committed to a positive and productive working environment free from discrimination, including sexual harassment. This commitment extends to all employees and other persons 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 training held elsewhere.

Definitions
For purposes of this policy, sexual harassment means unwelcome conduct or communication of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can occur student to adult, adult to adult, 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 district employees by other students, employees, or third parties involved in school district activities.

Under federal and state law, the term "sexual harassment" includes:
    • Acts of sexual violence;
    • Unwelcome sexual or gender-directed conduct or communications that interferes with an individual's employment performance or creates an intimidation, hostile, or offensive environment;
    • Unwelcome sexual advances;
    • Unwelcome requests for sexual favors;
    • Sexual demands when submission is a stated or implied obtaining work opportunity or other benefit; or
    • Sexual demands where submission or rejection is a factor in a work or other school-related decision affecting an individual.

A "hostile environment" for an employee is created where the unwanted conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidation, hostile, or abusive.

Investigation and Response
The district will take prompt, equitable, and remedial action within its authority every time a report, complaint, and grievance alleging sexual harassment comes to the attention of the district, either formally or informally.

Allegations of criminal misconduct will be reported to law enforcement and suspected child abuse will be reported to law enforcement or Child Protective Services. Regardless of whether the misconduct is reported to law enforcement, school staff will promptly investigate to determine what occurred and take appropriate steps to resolve the situation to the extent that such investigation does not interfere with an on-going criminal investigation. A criminal investigation does not relieve the district of its independent obligation to investigate and resolve sexual harassment.

Engaging in sexual harassment will result in appropriate discipline or other appropriate sanctions against offending staff or third parties involved in school district activities. Anyone else who engages in sexual harassment on school property or at school activities will have their access to school property and activities restricted, as appropriate.

If the district knows, or reasonably should know, that sexual harassment has created a hostile environment, the district will promptly investigate to determine what occurred and will take appropriate steps to resolve the situation. If an investigation reveals that sexual harassment has created a hostile environment, the district will take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end sexual harassment, eliminate the hostile environment, prevent its occurrence and, as appropriate, remedy its effects.

Retaliation and False Allegations
Retaliation against any person who makes or is a witness in a sexual harassment complaint is prohibited and will result in appropriate discipline. The district will take appropriate actions to protect involved persons from retaliation.

It is a violation of this policy to knowingly report false allegations of sexual harassment. Persons found to knowingly report or corroborate false allegations will be subject to appropriate discipline.

Staff Responsibilities
The superintendent will develop and implement formal and informal procedures for receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints or reports of sexual harassment. The procedures will include reasonable and prompt timelines and delineate staff responsibilities under this policy.

Any school employee who witnesses sexual harassment or receives report, informal complaint, or written complaint about sexual harassment is responsible for informing the district's Director of Human Resources. All staff are also responsible for directing complainants to the formal complaint process.

Notice
The superintendent will develop procedures to provide information to district staff, parents, and volunteers regarding this policy and the recognition and prevention of sexual harassment.

Policy Review
The district will review the policy internally on an annual basis.

Adopted:
6/14/16
A diverse group of students working cooperatively together