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BULLYING PREVENTION POLICY

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BULLYING PREVENTION POLICY

BULLYING PREVENTION POLICY

Board Policy 5030

   STUDENTS

 

 BULLYING PREVENTION

The School District of Janesville Board of Education strives to provide an educational environment where every student feels safe, respected and welcomed.  The Board also strives to provide an educational environment where every staff member can serve students in a atmosphere that is free from significant disruptions and obstacles that impede learning and performance. Bullying can have harmful social, physical, psychological and/or academic effects for those who engage in these behaviors, victims of such behaviors, and bystanders who observe acts of bullying.  The District prohibits any form of bullying behavior by students towards other students, school employees, volunteers, or any other person(s).

Bullying includes aggressive or hostile behavior that is intentional and involves an imbalance of power between the bully and the bullied. Bullying is a form of victimization and is not necessarily a result of or part of an on-going conflict. Bullying is defined as any conscious, willful, or deliberate acts, or attempted acts, through the use of words, images, gestures or other physical actions, including electronically transmitted acts, that are intended to cause physical injury, emotional distress or property damage. Bullying includes, but is not limited to, behaviors motivated by an actual or perceived distinguishing characteristic or factor including sex, race, national origin, ancestry, religion, color, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.  Bullying may also be motivated by any other distinguishing factor such as gender identity, physical appearance, or social, economic or family status.

Examples of acts of bullying include physical intimidation, force or assault, humiliation, sexual or racist remarks, extortion, verbal or written threats, taunting, put downs, name calling, threatening or menacing looks or gestures, spreading cruel rumors, and social exclusion.  This includes acts of cyber-bullying that involve sending or posting inappropriate, insulting or threatening messages or images through electronic communication systems such as the Internet, e-mail, cell phones or other personal devices.

Bullying is prohibited on District grounds, at District-related activities, or on transportation to and from school or District-sponsored activities. Harassing bullying behavior is prohibited in all educational environments, regardless of whether the facility or location is owned, leased, or otherwise used or provided by the District. 

Acts of bullying that originate off school premises and outside of the school’s control may be subject to the provisions of this policy and related procedures if the conduct is determined to be substantially disruptive to the educational process and the day-to-day operations of a school.  This includes, but is not limited to, threats made outside of school hours that communicate intent to be carried out during any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity, or on any vehicles used for transportation to and from school and school-sponsored activities.

All complaints about bullying shall be promptly investigated. The District shall respect the privacy of the complainant, the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed, and the witnesses as much as practicable and in a manner consistent with the Board’s legal obligations to investigate, take appropriate action, and conform to discovery or disclosure requirements. Disclosure of information related to the complaint shall be made only to those with a legitimate need to know.  All records generated as a result of the complaint and appeal processes shall be maintained as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

If the investigations finds bullying has occurred, school officials shall take prompt and necessary action up to and including behavioral interventions and support, disciplinary action, and/or referral to law enforcement officials or social services.  Consequences shall be unique to the nature of the behavior, the developmental level of the student, and the history of problem behaviors.  Remedial measures shall be designed to correct the problem behavior, prevent other occurrences, and protect the victim.

The District shall also take appropriate action against any student or District employee who retaliates against any person who makes a good-faith report of alleged bullying or against any person who testifies, assists, or participates in an investigation or hearing related to such behavior.

Employees found to have facilitated or participated in bullying behavior against students or to have been aware that bullying was taking place and failed to report the behavior are considered to be in violation of the prohibition expressed by this policy and may be subject to disciplinary action.

This policy shall be distributed annually to all students enrolled in the School District, parents/guardians, and all District employees.  It shall also be distributed to organizations in the community having cooperative agreements with the schools.  The District shall provide a copy of the policy to any person upon request.

Records shall be maintained on the number and types of reports made, and sanctions imposed for violations of this policy in accordance with established procedures.

REF:    

State Statute 111.31
State Statute 115.28(31)
State Statute 118.01(2)(d)8
State Statute 118.02(9t)
State Statute 118.13
State Statute 118.155
State Statute 118.195
State Statute 118.20
State Statute 120.13(1)
State Administrative Code PI 9
State Administrative Code PI 41
State Criminal Statutes 947.0125
State Criminal Statutes 947.013
State Criminal Statutes 948.51(2)
Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972
Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Civil Rights Act of 1991
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

CROSS REF:
Board Policy 5020, Student Nondiscrimination
Administrative Regulation 5020.1, Public Notification of Student Nondiscrimination Policy
Administrative Regulation 5020.2, Student Discrimination Complaint Procedure
Administrative Regulation 5020.3, Student Discrimination Incident Report
Board Policy 5021, Sexual Harassment
Administrative Regulation 5021.1, Complaint Procedures Relative to Sexual Harassment
Administrative Regulation 6724.1, Guidelines/Use of Technology by Students and Staff
Administrative Regulation 6724.2, Student Internet Access and Safe Use

Board of Education
Janesville, Wisconsin
2009; 2011, August 2014

@jacksonjanesville