Code: GBN/JBA
Revised/Reviewed: 10/22/18, 5/14/18, 9/25/17
Adopted:  3/16/15
Orig. Code(s):  GBN/JBA

The Board is committed to the elimination of sexual harassment in district schools and activities.  Sexual harassment is strictly prohibited and shall not be tolerated.  This includes sexual harassment of students, third parties or staff members on or immediately adjacent to district property, at any district-sponsored activity, on any district-provided transportation or at any official district bus stop by other students, staff members, Board members or third parties.

“Third parties” include, but are not limited to, school volunteers, parents, school visitors, service contractors, vendors or others engaged in district business, such as employees of businesses or organizations participating in cooperative work programs with the district and others not directly subject to district control at inter-district and intra-district athletic competitions or other school events.  “District” includes district facilities, district premises and non-district property if the student or staff member is at any district-sponsored, district-approved or district-related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the jurisdiction of the district or where the staff member is engaged in district business.

This policy is in effect while on district-owned and/or district-operated buses, vehicles or chartered buses while attending or engaged in district activities.  This prohibition also includes off duty conduct of staff which is incompatible with district job responsibilities.

Sexual harassment of students, staff members or third parties shall include, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

           1.  The conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of demanding sexual favors
                 in exchange for benefits;

           2.   Submission to or rejection of the conduct or communication is used as the basis for
        educational decisions affecting a student or employment or assignment of staff
        members;

           3.   The conduct or communication is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it has the
        purpose or effect of;

  4.  Unreasonably interfering with a student's educational performance, a district staff
       member's contractor or third party's ability to perform his/her job responsibilities; or
       creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile environment.  Relevant factors to be
       considered will include, but not be limited to, did the individual view the
       environment as hostile; was it reasonable to view the environment as hostile; the
       nature of the conduct; how often the conduct occurred and how long it continued; age and sex of
       the complainant; whether the alleged harasser was in a position of power over the
       student or staff member subjected to the harassment; number of individuals
       involved; age of the alleged harasser; where the harassment occurred; and other
       incidents of sexual harassment at the school involving the same or other students,
       staff members, or third parties.

Examples of sexual harassment may include, but not be limited to, physical touching or graffiti of a sexual nature, displaying or distributing of sexually explicit drawings, pictures and written materials, sexual gestures or obscene jokes, touching oneself sexually or talking about one’s sexuality in front of others or spreading rumors about or rating other students or making accusations regarding sexual orientation as to appearance, sexual activity or performance.

All complaints about behavior that may violate this policy shall be promptly investigated.  Any students, staff members or third parties who have knowledge of conduct in violation of this policy or feels they are a victim of sexual harassment must immediately report their concerns to the building principal, compliance officer or superintendent, who has overall responsibility for all investigations.  Students may also report concerns to a teacher, counselor or school nurse, who will promptly notify the appropriate district official. 

Upon receipt of a complaint by a student, student’s parents, staff member or a third-party alleging behavior that may violate this policy, the district shall provide written notice as required by Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 342.704(4) to the complainant.

The student and/or the student’s parents, staff member or third party who initiated the complaint shall be notified that the investigation has been concluded and as to whether a violation of this policy was found to have occurred to the extent allowable under state and federal confidentiality laws.

The initiation of a complaint in good faith about behavior that may violate this policy may not adversely affect the educational assignments or educational environment of a student complainant or any terms or conditions of employment or work environment of the staff member complainant or any terms or conditions of employment or of the work or educational environment of a third-party complainant.  There shall not be retaliation by the district against any person who, in good faith, reports, files a complaint or otherwise participated in an investigation or inquiry of sexual harassment.

It is the intent of the Board that appropriate corrective action will be taken by the district to stop the sexual harassment, prevent its recurrence and address negative consequences.  Students in violation of this policy shall be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion and/or counseling or sexual harassment awareness training, as appropriate.  The age and maturity of the student(s) involved and other relevant factors will be considered in determining appropriate action. Staff members in violation of this policy shall be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal and/or additional sexual harassment awareness training, as appropriate.  Other individuals whose behavior is found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to appropriate sanctions as determined and imposed by the superintendent/designee or the Board.

Additionally, the district may report individuals in violation of this policy to law enforcement officials.  Licensed staff, staff registered with the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and those participating in practicum programs, as specified by Oregon Administrative Rules, shall be reported to TSPC.

The superintendent shall ensure appropriate periodic sexual harassment awareness training or information is provided to all supervisors, staff members and students and that annually, the name and position of district officials responsible for accepting and managing sexual harassment complaints, business phone numbers, addresses or other necessary contact information is readily available.  This policy as well as the complaint procedure will be made available upon request to all students, parents of students, staff members and third parties, posted on the district’s website, and published in the student/parent and staff handbooks.  The district’s policy shall be posted on a sign in all grades 6 through 12 schools. Posted signs be at least 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches in size.

The superintendent will establish a process of reporting incidents of sexual harassment.

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ORS 243.706
ORS 342.700
ORS 342.704
ORS 342.708    
ORS 342.850
ORS 342.865
ORS 659.850
ORS 659A.006
ORS 659A.029
ORS 659A.030

OAR 581-021-0038
OAR 584-020-0040
OAR 584-020-0041

HB 4150 (2018)

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d (2012).
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e (2012).
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1683 (2012); Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (2014).
Bartsch v. Elkton School District, FDA-13-011 (March 27, 2014).

 

 

 

Code:  GBN/JBA-AR

Revised/Readopted: 8/27/19, 3/13/18

Orig. Code(s):  GBN/JBA-AR

Complaints regarding sexual harassment on any basis protected by law, shall be processed in accordance with the procedures found in KL-AR.

Direct complaints related to employment may be filed with the U.S. Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries.  Direct complaints related to educational programs and services may be made to the Regional Civil Rights Director, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Region X, 915 2nd Ave., Room 3310, Seattle, Washington 98174-1099.  Additional information regarding filing of a complaint may be obtained through the site administrator, the Chief Human Resource Officer, the superintendent or a designee.

All documentation related to sexual harassment complaints may become part of the student’s education record or employee’s personnel file, as appropriate.  Additionally, a copy of all sexual harassment complaints and documentation will be maintained as a confidential file and stored in the district office.

The superintendent or designee shall report the name of any person holding a teaching license or registered with Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) or participating in a practicum under Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) Chapter 584, Division 17, when, after appropriate investigation, there is reasonable cause to believe the person may have committed an act of sexual harassment.  Reports shall be made to TSPC within 30 days of such a finding.  Reports of abuse of a child shall be given to a representative from law enforcement or Oregon Department of Human Services, Community Human Services.  In the event the Superintendent is the subject of the investigation, reports, when required, shall be made by the Board chair.