Title IX: Discrimination Athol-Royalston Regional School District August 2016

Goals Define the scope of Title IX Massachusetts Laws that applies to Title IX Define the Title IX’s Administrative Responsibilities Application of Title IX to Various Issues Information on Collection and Reporting Violations to Title IX

Scope of Title IX Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits the discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities in federally funded schools at all levels. If any part of a school or college receives any Federal funds for any purpose, all of the operations of the district or college are covered by Title IX.

Massachusetts Law “Sexual Harassment” means sexual advances, request for sexual favors, verbal or physical conduct of sexual nature when: Submission to or rejection of such advances, request, or conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition for employment decisions or education development. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by and individual is used as the basis for employment or educational decision affecting such individual. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonable, interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working condition or educational environment. Massachusetts General Laws

Examples of Conduct that may constitute sexual harassment Unwelcome sexual advances: whether they include physical touching or not Sexual epithets, jokes, written or oral references to sexual conduct, gossip regarding one’s sex life, comments on an individual’s body, comments about an individual’s sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess. Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, cartoons. Inquires of one’s sexual experiences; and Discussion of one’s sexual activities. Massachusetts General Laws

Title IX Protections Title IX protects students, employees, applicants for admission and employment, and other persons from all forms of sex discrimination, including discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereo typical notion of masculinity and femininity. All students (as well as other persons) at recipient institutions are protected by Title IX regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, part or full time status, disability, race, or national origin – in all aspects of a recipients educational programing. Title IX Resource Guide Office for Civil Rights, April 2015

Obligations under Title IX All federally funded programs must designate at least one employee to coordinate their efforts to comply with and carry out their responsibilities under Title IX and must notify all students and employees of that employee’s contact information. Title IX Resource Guide, US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, April 2015 The Title IX Coordinator for the ARRSD is: Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Meyer.

Complaints of Sexual Harassment Employees have the right to file a complaints of sexual harassment with the Superintendent of Schools This person is available to discuss any concerns you may have and to provide to you information about the policy on sexual harassment and the complaint process.

Sexual Harassment Investigation Once a complaint is received, a prompt investigation to the allegation in a fair and expeditious manner. Confidential to the extent practicable Private interview with the person making the complaint. Interview the person who alleged to have committed the sexual harassment. When the investigation is completed, to the extent appropriate inform the person filing the complaint and the alleged person the results of the investigation. If determined appropriate eliminate the offending conduct and where it is appropriate impose disciplinary action

Disciplinary Action If it is deemed that inappropriate conduct has been committed by one of the employees, the district will take action as is appropriate under the circumstances.

State and Federal Remedies If you believe you have been subject to sexual harassment, you may file a formal complaint subjected to sexual harassment, you may file a formal complaint with either or both of the government agencies. The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) 1Congress Street 10th floor Boston, MA 02114 (617) 565-3200 (180 days to file) The Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination (MCAD) ( 6 months to file) Boston Office: Room 601 Boston, MA 02108 (617)-727-3990 Springfield Office: Room 220 Springfield, MA 01103 (413) 739-2145

References Title IX Resource Guide, US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, April 2015. Massachusetts General Laws Athol High School Faculty Handbook