6414

HARASSMENT

6414

It is the priority of the Wake County Board of Education to provide each and every student in the Wake County Public School System with a safe, orderly and caring learning environment.  To this end, the Board specifically prohibits bullying and harassment under any circumstances.  This policy is in addition to the Board’s Sexual Harassment policy.

Harassment means any offensive verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive to interfere with a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity.  Prohibited conduct may include, but is not limited to, abusive jokes, insults, slurs, name-calling, threats, bullying, intimidation, or cyber-bullying (using the Internet, email, or text messaging to bully).

Harassment of students is prohibited at all levels: between students, between employees and students, or between non-employees and students.

Any student who believes that he or she has been harassed or bullied in violation of this policy should report such behavior immediately to a teacher, counselor or administrator at his/her school.  A school employee who is notified of or otherwise becomes aware of conduct which may violate this policy shall report the matter to the principal.

All complaints of harassment shall be promptly and thoroughly investigated by the school principal and appropriate action shall be taken.  The actions taken should be reasonably calculated to end any harassment or bullying, eliminate a hostile environment if one has been created, and prevent harassment from occurring again.  Violations shall be deemed to be serious disciplinary infractions and may include long-term suspension or expulsion.

The Board specifically prohibits retaliation against any individual who makes a complaint or reports an incident of harassment or bullying or who participates in an investigation or grievance proceeding initiated under this policy.  Such retaliation is against the law and is prohibited by this policy.

If at any time during the investigation the principal receives information alleging the harassment or bullying was based on sex or gender, the school principal shall notify the Title IX Coordinator and any other appropriate person as required by law and Board policy 3033/2333/6415.

Nothing in this policy precludes the school system from taking disciplinary action against a student where the evidence does not establish harassment but the conduct otherwise fails to satisfy the school system’s high expectations for appropriate conduct.

Legal References: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.; Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; G.S. 126-16.

Adopted:     May 3, 2004

Revised:      April 18, 2006