Harassment Policy

Sexual Harassment and Grievance Policies

It is the policy of the East Haven Public Schools to maintain a learning environment that is free from sexual harassment, from harassment because of an individual’s race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability. The East Haven Public Schools prohibit any and all forms of sexual harassment and harassment because of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability.

It shall be a violation of the school district’s policy for any student, coach, teacher, administrator, employee or other personnel of this school district to harass a student through conduct of a sexual nature, or regarding race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability as defined by this policy.

It shall also be a violation of the school district’s policy for any coach, teacher, administrator, employee or other personnel of the school district to tolerate sexual harassment or harassment because of a student’s race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or disability as defined by this policy, or by any third party who is participating in, volunteering, observing, or otherwise engaged in any activities, including sporting events and other extracurricular activities, under the auspices of the school district.

It shall also be a violation of the school district’s policy for a student to harass a coach, teacher, administrator, employee or other personnel of the school district through conduct of a sexual nature or regarding race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability.

It shall also be a violation of the school district’s policy for any coach, teacher, administrator, employee, or other personnel of this school district to harass a coach, teacher, administrator, or other personnel of the school district through conduct of a sexual nature, or regarding race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability.

For purposes of this policy, the term "school personnel" include members of the School Board, school employees, agents, volunteers, contractors or persons subject to the supervision and control or employ of the school district.

The East Haven School District will act to promptly investigate all complaints, either formal or informal, verbal or written, of sexual harassment or harassment because of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability to promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further harassment; and, if it determines that unlawful harassment occurred, to promptly and appropriately discipline any student, teacher, administrator, employee, or other school personnel who is found to have violated this policy, and/or to take other appropriate action reasonably calculated to end the harassment.

Reporting Procedures: Students, employees, and others who believe they have been harassed are advised of the importance of informing the harasser that his/her behavior is unwelcome, offensive, and unwanted. Any student who believes he or she has been the victim of sexual harassment or harassment based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability by a student, coach, teacher, administrator or other personnel of the school district, or by any other person who is participating in, observing, or otherwise engaged in activities, including sporting events and other extracurricular activities under the auspices of the school district, are encouraged to report the alleged acts to the school’s harassment officer or principal. It is strongly suggested that the victim of the harassment contact the school’s harassment officer but the individual student may report such harassment to any coach, teacher, administrator or other employee of the school district who shall take appropriate action as mandated by this policy. Any employee of the school district who believes he or she has been the victim of sexual harassment or harassment based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability by a coach, teacher, administrator or other personnel

of the school district, or by any other person under the employment of the school district, shall report the alleged acts to the school designated harassment office. It is recommended that complaints be filed as soon as possible after the alleged discriminatory or harassing act has occurred but no later than ninety (90) days after the event. This limitation does not affect the right of the person to file a discrimination claim with State or Federal agencies charged with investigating such complaints. The complainant may forego the internal procedures and directly pursue legal or administrative remedies or may pursue both internal and external remedies simultaneously.

Each school has a designated harassment officer. The harassment officer in each school is the person responsible for receiving oral or written reports of sexual harassment or harassment based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability. Any adult school personnel who is the recipient of a report of sexual harassment or harassment based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or disability shall inform the building designated harassment officer or the district’s Title IX Coordinator within twenty-four (24) hours. Failure to report an allegation of harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination.

The district’s Title IX Coordinator is Mr. Robert Swan, Director of Pupil Services. His office is located at 35 Wheelbarrow Lane, East Haven, Connecticut 06513 and may be reached at (203) 468-3350.

Upon receipt of a report of harassment, the district’s Title IX Coordinator or the school’s harassment officer shall immediately begin an investigation of the complaint. If the complaint involves a harassment officer or building principal, the complaint shall be forwarded or filed directly with the Title IX Coordinator. If a complaint of harassment is against the Title IX Coordinator, the complaint should be filed with the Superintendent of Schools. If the allegations of discrimination involve the Superintendent, the complaint should be filed directly with the Board of Education.

Harassment officers as well as school administrators, will provide information to students, employees and others about the district’s policies and procedures against harassment. The school harassment officers will be available to discuss any concern a student, parent, employee or others may have. A list of school harassment officers may be found posted on the bulletin board of every school and a copy located in each school office.

It is the desire of the East Haven School District that issues of harassment and or discrimination are resolved as quickly as possible by the direct supervisor or teacher of the perpetrator and recipient of the alleged behavior as soon as the behavior becomes known to the teacher, coach, administrator, or supervisor.

The school district encourages the complainant to use the report form available from the school’s harassment officer or principal, but oral reports shall be considered complaints as well. Use of formal reporting forms is not mandated. Nothing in this policy shall prevent any person from reporting harassment directly to a principal, administrator, or a member of the School Board.

A copy of the school district’s complete sexual harassment policy and grievance procedure may be found in the office of any school in the district, all school libraries, and the central administration offices. You may receive a full copy of the policy at any of these locations.