• Procedures for Filing and Processing a Complaint 

    Procedure

    1. Complaints/Reporting
    2. A school employee who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been subject to any act of bullying or harassing behavior shall report the incident to a teacher, principal, counselor or other school official.
    3. A student or volunteer who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been subject to any act of bullying or harassing behavior should report the incident to a teacher, principal, counselor or other school official.
    4. A student who wishes to obtain assistance and intervention in response to bullying shall report the incident to a teacher, principal, counselor or other school official.
    5. Time Period for Reporting: Any report of bullying or harassing behavior must be made promptly but, absent exceptional justifying circumstances, no later than five (5) school days after the alleged act or acts occurred.

     

    Investigation/Reports

    1. A school administrator will meet with the individual reporting an act of bullying or harassing behavior. The reporting individual and the school administrator shall complete a “Bullying/Harassing Behavior” complaint form which shall include the name of the reporting person, the specific nature and date of the misconduct, the name(s) of the victim(s) of the misconduct, the names of any witnesses and any other information that would assist in the investigation of the complaint. The report shall be given promptly to the school principal or the Superintendent who shall institute an immediate investigation. Complaints against the school principal shall be made to the Superintendent and complaints against the Superintendent shall be made to the Board President.
    2. The complaint shall be investigated promptly. Within a reasonable amount of time after the alleged incident, the District will notify a parent/guardian of the alleged victim and a parent/guardian of the alleged bullying student concerning the nature of any complaint involving their student. The District will arrange such meetings as may be necessary with all concerned parties within five (5) school days after initial receipt of the complaint by the District. The parties will have an opportunity to submit evidence and a list of witnesses. The results of the investigation conducted by the District official shall be shared with the victim and parents to include a report of any disciplinary action taken
    3. During the investigation or immediately thereafter, the District will provide information to the victim, alleged bullying student, and any witnesses concerning available counseling options.

     

    Other

    1. The District prohibits any form of retaliation against any person, including a victim, a witness, or another person, who in good faith provides information concerning an incident of bullying. Any such allegations of retaliation should be reported as soon as possible to the school principal/Director of Student Services.
    2. The District further prohibits the imposition of a disciplinary measure on a student who, after investigation, is found to be a victim of bullying, on the basis of that student’s use of reasonable self-defense in response to the bullying. The District recognizes the fundamental right of every student to take reasonable actions as may be necessary to defend himself or herself from an attack by another student who has evidenced menacing or threatening behavior through bullying or harassing conduct. The District defines “reasonable action” in most cases as promptly reporting the behavior to a teacher, principal, counselor, or other school employee when a victim is subjected to bullying or harassing behavior.
    3. Any discipline for bullying of a student with a disability must comply with the applicable requirements under federal law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.)
    4. A copy of this procedure will be posted on the District’s internet website.