Joint School District No. 2 Employee Training

 Harassment is illegal under the provisions of both federal and state law  All employees and students have the right to work and learn in an atmosphere that promotes equal opportunities free from all forms of discrimination and conduct that could be harassing, coercive, or disruptive

 10% of students ages reported that someone at school had used hate- related words against them.  35% had seen hate- related graffiti at school. Source: 2007 National Center for Educational Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey  83% of girls reported having been sexually harassed  78% of boys have been sexually harassed  38% of students had been harassed by teachers or other school employees  35% of school employees or teachers were harassed by students  42% of school employees or teachers had been harassed by each other Survey conducted by the American Association of University Women

 Responsibility of all employees to act in accordance with this policy: ◦ Duty to report  Staff to Staff  Staff to Student  Student to Staff  Student to Student ◦ Includes conduct on or off district premises that has an effect on an employee’s work environment or a student’s educational environment

 Includes all buildings, facilities, and property owned or leased by, Joint School District No. 2, including school buses, other school vehicles, or the location of any school- sponsored activity or function whether an employee is supervising or attending on their personal time.  In addition, district property is defined as any dual-enrollment setting that includes, but is not limited to, Meridian Professional Technical Center, Meridian Night School, Meridian District summer high school and middle school summer school, Treasure Valley Math and Science, and the Dehryl Dennis Center.

Unwanted behavior that can be…. Verbal Written Non-verbal Graphic Sexual Physical …and is directed at an individual or group on the basis of:  Race  Color  National Origin  Disability  Religion  Sex  Age

 Intimidation or bullying behavior  Control  Misuse of power  Denial of equality  Blatant  Subtle  Single incident  Pattern of behavior Severe, pervasive, persistent enough to interfere with or limit the ability of a person to participate in or benefit from district programs or employment Single, significant incident Single, significant incident

 Graffiti  Derogatory statements  Text messages  Social networking postings   Slogans  Racial slurs  Nicknames  Taunting  Visual displays ◦ Cartoons ◦ Posters ◦ Photographs

Sexual harassment is a form of misconduct that includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, unwelcome physical contact or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:  Employee/student submission is made either as an implicit or explicit term or condition of employment or education  Submission or rejection is used as a basis for decisions affecting employment or an educational decision affecting a student  Conduct by supervisors, other employees or volunteers interferes with performance by creating a hostile work or learning environment

 Verbal Unwelcome verbal statements, innuendoes, propositions, threats, jokes, obscene comments, being called gay or lesbian  Nonverbal Suggestive objects, pictures, graphic commentaries, suggestive or insulting noises, obscene gestures, whistling, leering and stalking, pictures, notes  Physical Flashing, mooning Clothing pulled at, off, or down in a sexual way Stalking or unwelcome sexually-motivated attention

 Any district employee who receives a report of harassment from a student, becomes aware that a student is being subjected to harassment, or, in good faith believes that a student is be subjected to harassment, is required to report the matter to the building administrator immediately  Any district employee who witnesses harassment of a student should take immediate, appropriate action to intervene to stop the harassment

 Firmly and promptly notify offender that his/her behavior is unwelcome  If that is not feasible: ◦ Report to supervisor, building principal or Human Resources Director ◦ Unresolved complaints are directed to Human Resources Director ◦ Employee can also file with the IHRC or the EEOC

 Student or parent should immediately report the situation to school personnel  Any employee who receives a report or believes in good faith that a student is being harassed is required to report the matter to the building administration  If the offender is the building administrator, the matter must be reported to the superintendent or designee

 An allegation of harassment, including sexual harassment, will be promptly investigated in a confidential manner to protect the privacy of all individuals involved.  When adult harassment allegations are brought to their attention, administrators and supervisors must take affirmative steps to stop harassment by subordinates, or non-employees, including warning, discipline and recommending possible probation or dismissal  When student harassment is brought to their attention administrators must follow the steps in the student harassment policy (502.70) ; administrators have 10 days in which to complete the investigation  Complaints not resolved at the immediate supervisory/administrative level will be investigated by the District’s Human Resources director  The district will keep and maintain a written record of the incident and investigation in perpetuity

 The district will not retaliate in any way against an individual who makes a report nor will permit any district employee to do so  Anyone who assist individuals who believe they have been subjected will also be protected from retaliation  Any employee/student found to have retaliated may be subject to the same disciplinary action of the harasser

 Would I want my comments or behavior to appear in the newspaper or on T.V.?  Is this something I would do or say in front of my parents, significant other, or children?  Is this something I would do or say if the other person’s significant other were present?  Is this something I would do or say in front of a person of another race, gender, religion, disability?

“The person being harassed asked for it…” “If it’s not physical, it’s okay.” “Those being harassed complain just to cause trouble.” “Boys will be boys…” “They’re just being kids.” The truth is…  Most victims do not complain  The vast majority who report harassment just want the unwanted behavior to stop  Harassment of any kind should never be expected or accepted

 All schools should be a safe place in which to work and learn. It should be every employee’s goal to assist in creating and maintaining a positive and welcoming school climate free of intimidation and fear. As an employee of Joint School District No. 2, please familiarize yourself with both the staff harassment policy and the student harassment policy If you have any questions about this presentation or harassment please seek out your building administrator for clarification and guidance.