514 Policy: Students - Bullying & Hazing Prohibition

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to assist the school district in its goal of preventing and responding to acts of bullying, intimidation, violence, hazing and other similar disruptive behavior.  A safe and civil environment is needed for students to learn and attain high academic standards and to ensure a healthy school climate.  Bullying and hazing, like other violent or disruptive behavior, is conduct that interferes with students’ ability to learn and participate in school activities and teachers’ ability to educate students in a safe environment.  It is the school district’s intent to prevent bullying and hazing and to take action to investigate, respond, remediate, and discipline such acts 

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

A.    It is prohibited conduct and a violation of this policy, for any student(s) to bully another student(s) through conduct or communication in-person or through misuse of technology including cyberbullying.

B.    It  is prohibited conduct and a violation of this policy for any student to engage in bullying conduct at any time or any place in a manner that  substantially and materially  interferes with a student's educational opportunities or performance or ability to participate in school functions or activities or receive school benefits, services, or privileges.

C.    It is prohibited conduct and a violation of this policy for students, employees, volunteers or other representatives of the school district to engage in hazing of a student in order for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization.

D.    It is prohibited conduct and a violation of this policy for any student, employee, volunteer or representative of the school district to engage in malicious and sadistic conduct and sexual exploitation against a student, employee, volunteer or representative of the school district.

E.     It is prohibited conduct and a violation of this policy for any person(s) to retaliate against a student or employee for alleging a violation of this policy or for participating in an investigation of prohibited conduct under this policy.

F.     Employees who witness prohibited conduct or possess reliable information that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that a student is a target of prohibited conduct must make reasonable efforts to address and resolve the prohibited conduct.

G.    Employees who witness prohibited conduct or possess reliable information that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that a student is a target of prohibited conduct will report the prohibited conduct to the primary contact person designated for the school at which the student who is the target for the prohibited conduct is enrolled.

H.    This policy applies not only to persons who directly engage in an act of bullying or hazing but also to persons who, by their indirect behavior, condone or support another’s act of bullying or hazing. 

I.      Allegations of bullying or hazing which are based upon or directed at a student’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation should also be investigated and treated as potential prohibited harassment under District Policy 102.

III. VIOLATION OF POLICY

Violation of this policy will be cause for disciplinary action against the violating student(s).  Employees who do not comply with the requirements of this policy and implementing procedures may also face disciplinary action in keeping with applicable contract provisions and law.  

IV. TRAINING AND EDUCATION

The superintendent or his/her designee will develop training materials to publicize the policy and provide information and training to school district staff and volunteers about bullying/hazing prevention and the requirements of this policy. The superintendent will designate a primary contact person in each school building to receive reports of conduct prohibited under this policy, to ensure that this policy and procedures are fairly and fully implemented, and serve as the primary contact on policy and procedural matters concerning this Policy 514-Bullying Prohibition.

Legal References
Minn. Stat. §121A.03, (Sexual, Religious, & Racial Harassment and Violence)
Minn. Stat. § 121A.031 School board policy; prohibiting intimidation and bullying
Minn. Stat. §§ 121A.40-121A.56 (Pupil Fair Dismissal Act)
Minn. Stat. § 121A.69 (Hazing Policy)

Cross References
Policy 403 – Dismissal of Employees
Policy 414 – Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse
Policy 506 – Student Discipline
Policy 507 – Corporal Punishment
Policy 515 – Protection and Privacy of Education Records