The district strives to prevent bullying, in accordance with the district’s policies, by promoting a respectful school climate; encouraging reporting of bullying incidents, including anonymous
reporting; and investigating and addressing reported bullying incidents.
Bullying is defined in state law as a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more
students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that:
- Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a
student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person
or of damage to the student’s property;
- Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an
intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student;
- Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a
classroom or school; or
- Infringes on the rights of the victim at school.
Bullying includes cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is defined in state law as bullying that is done
using any electronic communication device, including using:
- A cellular or other type of telephone
- A computer
- A camera
- Electronic mail
- Instant messaging
- Text messaging
- A social media application
- An internet website
- Any other internet-based communication tool.
Bullying is prohibited by the district and could include:
- Hazing
- Threats
- Taunting
- Teasing
- Confinement
- Assault
- Demands for money
- Destruction of property
- Theft of valued possessions
- Name-calling
- Rumor-spreading
- Ostracism
If a student believes that he or she has experienced bullying or witnesses the bullying of another student, the student or parent should notify a teacher, school counselor, principal, or another district employee as soon as possible. Procedures for reporting allegations of bullying may be found on the district’s website.
A student may anonymously report an alleged incident of bullying by STOPit @ https://appweb.stopitsolutions.com/.
The administration will investigate any allegations of bullying and related misconduct. The
district will also provide notice to the parents of the alleged victim and the parents of the student alleged to have engaged in bullying.
If an investigation determines that bullying occurred, the administration will take appropriate
disciplinary action and may, in certain circumstances, notify law enforcement. Disciplinary or
other action may be taken even if the conduct did not rise to the level of bullying.
Available counseling options will be provided to the affected individuals, including any student who witnessed the bullying.
Any retaliation against a student who reports an incident of bullying is prohibited.
Upon recommendation of the administration, the board may transfer a student found to have
engaged in bullying to another classroom at the campus. In consultation with the student’s
parent, the board may transfer the student to another campus in the district.
The parent of a student who has been determined to be a victim of bullying may request that the student be transferred to another classroom or campus within the district.
A copy of the district’s bullying policy is available in the principal’s office, superintendent’s
office, and on the district’s website, and is included at the end of this handbook as an
appendix. A student or parent who is dissatisfied with the outcome of an investigation may
appeal through policy.