Harassment

Harassment of students (including students on other campuses) or staff, including bullying, cyberbullying, intimidation,
hazing or any other verbal, written or physical conduct that causes or threatens to cause bodily harm or emotional
suffering will not be tolerated (Board Policy 5131 & CA Ed Code 48900) and may be cause for expulsion.
Non-Discrimination/Sexual Harassment Policy

Students, prospective students, employees, prospective employees, parents of students, employment agencies referring
applications to the Sonoma Valley Unified School District of Sonoma County, CA, and all unions and professional
organizations are hereby notified that said Districts do not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs,
employment, or activities which they operate and that such requirement not to discriminate is contained in Title IX,
Sections 901, 902 of the Education amendments of 1972, 86 Stat., 373, 374, 20 USC 1681, 1682.

The Governing Board prohibits discrimination against and /or harassment of district employees, and job applicants at any district site or activity on the basis of actual or perceived, race, ethnic group, religion, color, national origin, ancestry,
age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status,gender, sex, or sexual orientation. The Board also prohibits retaliation against any district employee or job applicant who complains, testifies or in any way participates in the district's complaint procedures instituted pursuant to this policy.

The district will not tolerate sexual harassment in any form per District Policies 4119.11, Sexual Harassment and
5145.3, Nondiscrimination/Harassment. These policies are available at all school sites or at the District Office.
The Districts have designated the Human Resources Administrator as an employee of said Districts, to coordinate said
Districts' efforts to comply with said law. Any person having a complaint under said law should notify the Human
Resources Administrator, 778-4608, or (a) principal in any K-6 (elementary) school; or (b) the appropriate secondary
(junior/senior high) school administrator and/or designee.

Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical
conduct of a sexual nature, made by someone from or in the work or educational setting, under the following
conditions:
● Submission to the conduct is made a term or condition of academic status or progress.
● Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct is used as the basis of academic decisions affecting the individual.
● The conduct has the purpose of having a negative impact upon academics or creates an intimidating, hostile, or
offensive educational environment.
● Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct is used as the basis for decisions regarding benefits and services,
honors, programs, or activities in the educational institution.
Conduct that may constitute sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to:
● Suggestive or obscene notes, invitations, objects, pictures, cartoons, slurs, jokes, epithets.
● Assault, touching, impeding or blocking movement, leering, and/or gestures.
● Continuing to express sexual interest after being informed that it is unwelcome.
● Engaging in sexual behavior to control, influence, or affect opportunities, grades, and/or the learning
environment of a student.
● Offering benefits, such as grades and recommendations, in exchange for sexual favors.

Hate-Motivated Behavior
Behavior or statements intended to discriminate against or injure, intimidate, interfere, or threaten anyone on the basis
of race, ethnicity, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religious beliefs or practices shall not be
tolerated. A student who feels a victim of hate-motivated behavior shall immediately contact a school administrator. If
the student feels the administrator has not remedied the situation, a complaint may be filed in accordance with district
procedures.
Staff who receive notice of hate-motivated behavior or personally observes or reasonably suspects such behavior shall
promptly notify the administration and law enforcement, as appropriate. Students demonstrating hate-motivated
behavior shall be subject to discipline. In addition, the district shall provide counseling and appropriate sensitivity
training and diversity education for students exhibiting hate-motivated behavior. The district shall also provide
counseling, guidance and support, as necessary, to those students who are victims of hate-motivated behavior.

Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying includes the transmission of communications, posting of harassing messages, direct
threats, or other harmful texts, sounds or images on the Internet, social networking sites, or other digital technologies
using a telephone, computer, or any wireless communication device. Cyberbullying also includes breaking into another
person’s account and assuming that person’s identity in order to damage that person’s reputation or friendship. The use
and distribution of video and/or photographs for the purposes of harassment or inciting a fight, including posting video
of photographs of an event that has occurred, is considered cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a serious form of harassment
and is a violation of school district policy and state education code. Any student found engaging in cyberbullying will be
subject to discipline sanctioned by Board Policy and California Education Code, and may be reported to the police for
criminal investigation.

What Can Someone Do When He or She Feels Sexually Harassed or Bullied?
The Text-A-Tip hotline is monitored by the School Resource Officer and SVHS administration. The Text-A-Tip Hotline may
be used to report harassment, bullying, vandalism and other instances that negatively impacting the SVHS community.
This hotline is monitored on a regular basis.
Text-A-Tip Confidential Hotline-707-939-5541

Informal Resolution
Students are not required to inform the person engaging in the conduct that it is unwanted, offensive, and must stop,
but are encouraged to do so. Students may ask for help from a teacher, counselor, or administrator to resolve the
alleged harassment or file a complaint.
Formal Complaint
Any student who believes he or she is being harassed by a student or employee shall promptly report the facts of the
incident(s) and the name of the person involved to a staff member with whom they are comfortable. A written
statement, document, or complaint form may be obtained in the main office and submitted to personnel in the main
office. That person shall report the incident to the school site Title IX officer and/or principal. All staff, upon personal
knowledge of an alleged incident of harassment, including sexual harassment, is obligated to report it to the school
administration within 3 school days.
● The site administrator will file a written report of the alleged incident. All investigations shall be handled in a
serious, sensitive and confidential manner.
● Disposition of the complaint may include, but is not limited to, disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
Any individual may appeal the findings of an investigation to the District Governing Board within a reasonable time from
the date of the finding. All site administrators at SVHS are Title IX officers.