BISD follows state law and has appropriate policies and procedures in place that address prohibition of harassment, intimidation and bullying.

 

Policy 3706 and Procedure 3706 -  Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying, were revised according to new state law and adopted in June 2011. These confirm the district's commitment to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/legal guardians, volunteers, and patrons that is free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. They define these terms and associated behaviors, and they note trainings and interventions among other related information.

 

Harassment and bullying are clearly defined by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. OSPI also has information on their School Safety Center website about bullying and harassment. Other resources include two FAQ Powerpoint presentations: one on Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying and a second on Cyberbullying. 

 

If you need to report an incident, please use the Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Reporting Form..

 

If you have questions or concerns about harassment, bullying and intimidation, please contact your student's principal, or you may contact the Bainbridge Island School District's Harassment, Bullying and Intimidation Compliance Officer, Erin Murphy, at 206-780-1072 or emurphy@bisd303.org

 

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Students and staff are protected against sexual harassment by anyone in any school program or activity, including on the school campus, on the school bus, or off-campus during a school-sponsored activity.

Sexual harassment is unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature when:

·  A student or employee is led to believe that he or she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communications in order  to gain something in return, such as a grade, a promotion, a place on a sports team, or any educational or employment decision, or

·  The conduct substantially interferes with a student's educational performance, or creates an intimidating or hostile educational or employment environment.

Examples of Sexual Harassment:

·  Pressuring a person for sexual favors

·  Unwelcome touching of a sexual nature

·  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

You can report sexual harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Title IX Officer, who is listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint (see below). For a copy of your district’s sexual harassment policy and procedure, contact your school or district office, or view it online here: Policy 3700.

COMPLAINT OPTIONS: DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT

If you believe that you or your child have experienced unlawful discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment at school, you have the right to file a complaint.

Before filing a complaint, you can discuss your concerns with your child’s principal or with the school district’s Section 504 Coordinator, Title IX Officer, or Civil Rights Coordinator, who are listed above. This is often the fastest way to revolve your concerns.

Complaint to the School District

Step 1. Write Our Your Complaint

In most cases, complaints must be filed within one year from the date of the incident or conduct that is the subject of the complaint. A complaint must be in writing. Be sure to describe the conduct or incident, explain why you believe discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual harassment has taken place, and describe what actions you believe the district should take to resolve the problem. Send your written complaint—by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery—to the district superintendent or civil rights compliance coordinator.

Step 2: School District Investigates Your Complaint

Once the district receives your written complaint, the coordinator will give you a copy of the complaint procedure and make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The superintendent or designee will respond to you in writing within 30 calendar days—unless you agree on a different time period. If your complaint involves exceptional circumstances that demand a lengthier investigation, the district will notify you in writing to explain why staff need a time extension and the new date for their written response.

Step 3: School District Responds to Your Complaint

In its written response, the district will include a summary of the results of the investigation, a determination of whether or not the district failed to comply with civil rights laws, notification that you can appeal this determination, and any measures necessary to bring the district into compliance with civil rights laws. Corrective measures will be put into effect within 30 calendar days after this written response—unless you agree to a different time period.

Appeal to the School District

If you disagree with the school district’s decision, you may appeal to the school district’s board of directors. You must file a notice of appeal in writing to the secretary of the school board within 10 calendar days after you received the school district’s response to your complaint. The school board will schedule a hearing within 20 calendar days after they received your appeal, unless you agree on a different timeline. The school board will send you a written decision within 30 calendar days after the district received your notice of appeal. The school board’s decision will include information about how to file a complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Complaint to OSPI

If you do not agree with the school district’s appeal decision, state law provides the option to file a formal complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). This is a separate complaint process that can take place if one of these two conditions has occurred: (1) you have completed the district’s complaint and appeal process, or (2) the district has not followed the complaint and appeal process correctly.

You have 20 calendar days to file a complaint to OSPI from the day you received the decision on your appeal. You can send your written complaint to the Equity and Civil Rights Office at OSPI:

Email: Equity@k12.wa.us ǀ Fax: 360-664-2967

Mail or hand deliver: PO Box 47200, 600 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7200

For more information, visit www.k12.wa.us/Equity/Complaints.aspx, or contact OSPI’s Equity and Civil Rights Office at 360-725-6162/TTY: 360-664-3631 or by e-mail at equity@k12.wa.us.

Other Discrimination Complaint Options

• Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 206-607-1600 ǀ TDD: 1-800-877-8339 ǀ OCR.Seattle@ed.gov ǀ www.ed.gov/ocr 
• Washington State Human Rights Commission, 1-800-233-3247 ǀ TTY: 1-800-300-7525 ǀ www.hum.wa.gov