1. Washington County Schools Harassment and Grievance Policy
By Chad Willis

2. Definition of Harassment
Unlawful behavior based on the race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex or disabilityof an employee .
Examples of Unlawful behavior:
Intimidation by threats
Actual Physical violence
Creation of a climate of hostility and intimidation.
Use of language, conduct, or symbols in such a manner as to be commonly understood to convey hatred or prejudice.

3. Prohibition Harassment is prohibited at all times on school property.
It is prohibited off school grounds during school sponsored activities.
This also applies to visitors to the school who may come into contact with employees and students.

4. Disciplinary Action
Employees who engage in harassment/discrimination of another employee or a student on the basis of any of the areas mentioned shall be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, termination of employment.

5. Guidelines
If an employee feels they have been the victim of harassment/discrimination they should do the following: * Inform their principal or immediate supervisor. * They provide a form for the employee to complete and then notify the Superintendent and or Title IX Coordinator.

6. Superintendent’s Actions
Superintendent will provide the following
1. Investigation of allegations of harassment/discrimination.
2. A written report of all of the findings of the investigation shall be completed within the (30) calendar days unless additional time is necessary due to matter being investigated by a law enforcement or governmental agency.
3. A process to identify and implement, within three (3) working days of submission of the written investigative report, methods to correct and prevent reoccurrence. 4. Annually, a written policy will be presented to all staff.

7. Prohibited Conduct
Derogatory nicknames, slurs, demeaning stories, jokes, or pictures relating to any of protected categories.
Unwanted touching, sexual advances, requesting sexual favors, and spreading sexual rumors.
Causing an employee to believe that he or she must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct in order to maintain employment.
Implied threats of physical violence or acts of aggression or assault.
Destroying or damaging an individual’s property based on any of the protected categories.

8. Appeal
Any party may appeal in writing any part of the findings and corrective actions to the Superintendent.
If a supervisory staff member is an alleged party in the harassment/discrimination complaint, procedures shall be in place for addressing the complaint to a higher level of authority.

9. Retaliation Prohibited
No one shall retaliate against an employee because she/he files a written grievance, assists or participates in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing.
Upon the resolution of allegations, the Superintendent shall take steps to protect employees against retaliation.

10. Grievance Procedures
Employees wishing to initiate a formal grievance about an alleged violation of a constitutional , statutory, or regulatory provision, of a Board policy, administrative rule, or procedure shall use the Grievance Initiation Form(03.16 AP.2.

11. Conditions
All grievances are individual in nature and must be brought by the individual grievant.
Proceedings shall be conducted outside of the regular school day and a time and place mutually agreed upon.
The Grievant shall have one (1) representative.
Information be will be private and separate from the individual’s employee’s folder.
No reprisal shall be take against any aggrieved person because of the filing of a grievance.

12. Time Limits
Employees must file a grievance within fifteen (15) working days following the alleged violation.
Depending on the nature of the grievance, the Superintendent may recommend an extension of the filing deadline to twenty(20) working days if the grievance is based on an alleged violation of constitutional, statutory, regulatory, or policy provisions.
Days referred in the grievance are school calendar days, except for any days designated as holidays, professional development days, and any days during the school term on which schools are closed.
If no extension occurs and the grievant does not file an appeal to the next level within ten (10) calendar days of receiving a response, the grievance shall be considered to have been settled and terminated at the previous level.

13. Forms and Procedures
Harassment Reporting form is located on Washington County’s Homepage under Resources and District Training( AP.2)
Grievance Reporting Form is located on Washington County’s Homepage under Resources and District Training(03.16 AP.2)