Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying of Students

File: JFD

The Lake Washington School District recognizes its responsibility to provide a safe and civil/educational environment that is free from all types of discrimination and harassment, bullying, and intimidation.

Appropriate consequences for students who violate this policy will be specified in the student code of conduct for each building and as set forth in Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying of Students Procedures JFD-R. Any staff member who has been found, after appropriate investigation, to have harassed a student will be subject to disciplinary action and/or discharge, as appropriate pursuant to collective bargaining agreements and state and federal laws.

All students have the right to learn in an environment that is free from harassment intimidation, or bullying. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying means any intentionally written message or image (including those that are electronically transmitted) or verbal or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, marital status, age, mental or physical disability or other distinguishing characteristics, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, when an act:

  • Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property.
  • Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education.
  • Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment.
  • Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Nothing in this section requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying. “Other distinguishing characteristics” can include but are not limited to: physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status, and weight.

Behaviors/Expressions
Harassment, intimidation, or bullying can take many forms including, but not limited to, slurs, rumors, “put-downs,” jokes, innuendoes, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, physical attacks, threats, or other written, oral, physical, or electronically transmitted messages or images.

This policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupt the educational environment. Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may still be prohibited by other district policies or building, classroom or program rules.

Training
This policy is a component of the district’s responsibility to create and maintain a safe, civil, respectful, and inclusive learning community and shall be implemented in conjunction with comprehensive training of students, staff, and volunteers.

Prevention
The district will provide students with strategies aimed at preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying. In its efforts to train students, the district will work in partnership with families, law enforcement, and other community agencies.

Interventions
Interventions are designed to remediate the impact on the targeted student(s) and others impacted by the violation, to change the behavior of the perpetrator, and to restore a positive school climate.

The district will consider the frequency of incidents, developmental age of the student, and severity of the conduct in determining intervention strategies. Interventions may include counseling, correcting behavior and discipline, and referral to law enforcement.

Retaliation/False Allegations
Retaliation is prohibited and will result in appropriate discipline. It is a violation of this policy to threaten or harm someone for reporting harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

It is also a violation of district policy to knowingly report false allegations of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Any employee who is found to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment consistent with collective bargaining agreements and state and federal laws. Students or employees will not be disciplined for making a report in good faith. However, persons found to knowingly report or corroborate false allegations will be subject to appropriate discipline.

Compliance Officer
The superintendent will appoint a compliance officer as the primary district contact to receive copies of all formal complaints and ensure policy implementation. The name and contact information for the compliance officer will be communicated throughout the district. Any complaint received will be promptly investigated, and the district will take corrective action where appropriate.

The superintendent is authorized to direct the implementation of procedures addressing the elements of this policy. This policy and related procedure/administrative guidelines will be posted and disseminated in each work site and reviewed with employees and students on an annual basis.

Adopted:
07/25/11

Revised:
06/14/16

LEGAL REFS.:
RCW 28A.300.285
RCW 28A.600.480
RCW 28A.640
RCW 28A.642
RCW 49.60
Age Discrimination & Employment Act of 1967 (29 USC. § 623)
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 701, 794)
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §12101)

CROSS REF.:
JFDA, Sexual Harassment of Students
JFD-R, Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying of Students- Procedures

A group of students sing at an assembly