Bully Report

Bullying, harassment, or intimidation toward a student or staff member whether by a student, staff, or third party is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes aggressive behavior, physical, verbal, and psychological abuse. The Board of Education will not tolerate any gestures, comments, threats, racial slurs, or actions which cause or threaten to cause bodily harm or personal degradation. This policy applies to all activities in the District, including activities on school property or while en-route to or from school on school transportation, and those occurring off school property if the student or employee is at any school-sponsored, school-approved, or school-related activity or function, such as field trips or athletic events where students are under the school’s control, in a school vehicle, or where an employee is engaged in school business.

Any student or student’s parent/guardian, staff member or third party who believes s/he has been or is the victim of bullying, harassment, or intimidation should immediately report the situation to the building principal or the Superintendent, or his designee. The student may also report concerns to teachers and other school staff who will be responsible for notifying the appropriate administrator. Complaints against the building principal should be filed with the Superintendent. Complaints against the Superintendent should be filed with the Board President.

If the investigation finds an instance of bullying, harassment, or intimidation has occurred, it will result in prompt and appropriate remedial and/or disciplinary action. This may include expulsion for students, discharge for employees, exclusion for parents, guests, volunteers, and contractors, and removal from any official position and/or a request to resign for Board members. Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement and, if teachers are involved, to the Ohio Department of Education.

In support of this policy, the Board promotes preventative educational measures to create greater awareness of aggressive behavior including bullying, harassment, and intimidation. The Superintendent or designee shall provide appropriate training to all members of the District related to the implementation of this policy and its accompanying administrative guidelines. The training will be age and content appropriate.