District Directory 2021-22 ADMINISTRATION BOARD OF EDUCATION PARENT-TEACHER-STUDENT ORGANIZATION Superintendent of Schools President P.T.S.O. website: www.rhinebeckptso.org Albert L. Cousins IV 871-5520 ext. 5522 Diane Lyons ‘24 266-8861 [email protected] 665 Willowbr ook R oad District Offi cers Secretary to the Superintendent/District Clerk Clin ton Corners, NY 12514 President Whitney Druker 871-5520 ext. 5522 [email protected] TBD - [email protected] [email protected] Vice President BUSINESS OFFICE Stev e Jenkins ‘22 518-316-1461 Treasurers 84 K nollwood R oad Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Rhinebeck, NY 12572 Lucia White - [email protected] Thomas Burnell 871-5520 ext. 5523 [email protected] Melissa Karchmer - [email protected] [email protected] s Secretary to Assistant Superintendent Trustees Corresponding Secretary Donna Ellis 871-5520 ext. 5523 Jacqueline Raccuia ‘22 732-995-4865 Giovanna Seldin - [email protected] [email protected] 16 Wins ton Road Accounts Payable/Transporta on Rhinebeck, NY 12572 Teacher Representa ves: Susan Cross 871-5520 ext. 5527 [email protected] Chancellor Livingston Elementary School [email protected] Doreen Giamportone Ma hew Van W ormer ’22 901-8399 Accountant/Treasurer 20 Maple Lane [email protected] Chris ne Natoli 871-5520 ext. 5524 Rhinebeck, NY 12572 [email protected] maƩ he [email protected] Bulkeley Middle School Payroll Isobel Usawicz Tamisha Greenhill 871-5520 ext. 5532 Megan Barbera ‘23 706-4485 [email protected] [email protected] 57 Bur ger Road Personnel Assistant Rhinebeck, NY 12572 Rhinebeck High School TBD 871-5520 ext. 5521 [email protected] John Cahill District Tax Collector Jaclyn Savolainen ‘23 876-7334 [email protected] Susan Cross (Sep.– Nov.) 75 Delano Driv e 871-5520 ext. 5527 Rhinebeck, NY 12572 [email protected] [email protected] Business/District Offi ce FAX: 845-876-4276 Mark Fleischhauer ‘24 876-5311 CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION 146 Rhinecliff Road ANNUAL AHERA NOTIFICATION Assistant Superintendent for??????? Rhinebeck, NY 12572 TBD 871-5500 ext. 6545 mark.fl [email protected] This no fi ca on is required annually by [email protected] District Clerk the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Secretary Whitney Druker 871-5520 ext. 5522 Mary Ann Torres 871-5500 ext. 6560 wdruk [email protected] Response Act (AHERA). Asbestos Man- [email protected] agement Plans have been developed for SPECIAL EDUCATION each Rhinebeck School. Director of Pupil Personnel Services Emily Davison 871-5500 ext. 6551 COMMUNICATING WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION [email protected] The plans are available and accessible to Secretary Regular business mee ngs are open to the the public at each school offi ce or at the Stacy Stoliker 871-5500 ext. 6551 public and are normally held on the second and [email protected] fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the District Offi ce. Please feel free to contact Special Educa on Office Fax 876-4963 BMS/RHS Library, unless a change of Sheldon Tieder at 871-5500, ext. 5529 TECHNOLOGY loca on is posted. Call (845) 871-5520, ext. 5522 for further informa on. Steven Jensen, Director 871-5500 ext. 6557 [email protected] for more informa on. DDistrictistrict DDirectoryirectory 2021-222021-22 CHANCELLOR LIVINGSTON ELEMENTARY Physical Educa on School Psychologist (Cassi Wintermantel) 5546 SCHOOL David Aierstok 5152 School Social Worker (Megan Rodier) 5589 Phone 871-5570 Jennifer Raymo 5610 Fax 876-4174 Guidance Offi ce (Carmela Fountain) 5556 Principal Kitchen 5531 Bre King ext. 6571 Music Dept. (Marla Ulrich) 5762 SUPPORT STAFF [email protected] Nurse (Teresa Costakis) 5536 Assistant Principal Staff Room 5551 Phone 871-5500 Fern Lox 6566 Fax 876-8755 fl [email protected] RHINEBECK HIGH SCHOOL Dir. of Facili es (Sheldon Tieder) ext. 5529 Main Offi ce Phone 871-5500 Computer Tech. (Michele Raimondi) 5567 Lisa Menz 6570 Fax 876-8755 Micro-Computer-Tech. (Brendan O’Hara) Rachel Ranalli 6571 871-5500 ext. 6556 Computer Lab 4425 Principal Edwin Davenport ext. 5501 Custodial Offi ce (Craig Decker) 5564 Custodian (Tina Meyers) 6577 Maintenance Garage 5565 Greeter 6559 [email protected] Assistant Principal Maintenance 5530 Kitchen 6152/6153 Food Service (Larry Anthony) 871-5500 ext. 6579 Librarian (Nora Kindley) 6580 Marc Burg 5148 Library Desk (Cathy Haskins) 4436 [email protected] Nurse (Mary Skeen) 6136 Main Offi ce Physical Educa on 4051 Donna Shellhammer 5501 (Kevin Yarnell/Erik Thomas) Stacey van den Thoorn 5502 School Psychologist (Nicholas Montany) 6576 A endance Offi ce (Katherine Mustello) 5542 Shared Decision-Making School Social Worker (Morgan LoBru o) 6138 Athle c Director (Stephen Boucher) 5535 The Board of Educa on has adopted a Teacher’s Room 6137 Athle c Trainer 5525 Plan for Shared Decision-Making and Struc- Director of Curriculum & Instruc on Faculty Room 5540 TBD 6545 tured Par cipa on that provides a structural Curr. & Instr. Sec’y (Mary Ann Torres) 6560 Greeter’s Desk 5578 framework of powers and responsibili es to Director of Special Educa on Guidance Offi ce further the implementa on of the ideal of Emily Davison 6512 Sheryl Mulkins 5505 shared decision-making with the community Special Ed. Sec’y (Stacy Stoliker) 6551 Lisa Gillman 5507 to improve educa on in our schools. A copy of Guidance Counselors the Plan is available at each school and at the BULKELEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Robert Heywood 5506 district offi ce. Individual copies of the plan will Phone 871-5500 Jeff Palazzolo 5504 be provided upon request. Fax 871-5553 Kitchen 5558 Each school has its own planning team for Principal Librarian (Diane Linenbroker) 5537 the implementa on of shared decision-making John Kemnitzer ext. 5552 Library Desk (Deb Highley) 5593 at the building level. In addi on, the Compre- [email protected] Music Department hensive District Educa on Plan Commi ee Assistant Principal Laura Natalie 5592 (CDEP) operates at the district level to address Marc Burg 5148 Sco Milici 5509 district-wide shared decision-making issues. [email protected] Nurse (Teresa Costakis) 5536 The CDEP meets three to four mes annually. Main Offi ce Physical Educa on The building-level teams meet monthly, as Shawnna Cawley 5550 David Ju on 5582 determined by the members serving on the Regina Messa 5552 A endance Offi ce (Katherine Mustello) 5542 TBD 5160 commi ee. Computer Lab 5210 GGeneraleneral IInformanforma onon 2021-222021-22 STUDENT REGISTRATION PROCESS Children from households that meet Federal Income Guidelines are eligible for Please call 871-5500 ext. 6560 for an appointment. Bring ID, birth cer fi cate, free meals or reduced price meals. Informa on is sent to all students at the begin- recent proof of residency, and proof of immuniza ons. The District will mail the ning of the school year. Addi onal informa on and applica ons may be picked up registra on packet to you in advance to minimize your appointment me or you can in the Business Offi ce or call 871-5520 ext. 5523. All informa on is considered visit the District’s website at www.rhinebeckcsd.org (under District tab) to obtain the confi den al. required forms. SPECIAL EDUCATION RESOLVING SCHOOL-RELATED PROBLEMS Special Educa on Offi ce 871-5500 ext. 6551/6512 Try to obtain sa sfactory resolu on at the most immediate level. If you are unable to resolve the concern or answer the ques on at that level, contact District HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY INFORMATION personnel in this order: Dutchess BOCES 486-4800 • Teacher AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS (PTSO) • Building Principal CLS Elec ves 871-5500 ext. 6571 • Related Supervisor (transporta on, cafeteria, buildings and grounds, pupil personnel services) USE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES • Assistant Superintendent for Support Services (business-related ma ers; for Call the Business Offi ce to request the necessary forms. Please submit forms for example, transporta on, cafeteria, buildings and grounds) • Superintendent of Schools approval well in advance of the event. 871-5520 ext. 5523 If, a er talking with the Superintendent, you s ll have not obtained a sa sfac- HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS FOR ABSENT STUDENTS tory resolu on, you may contact the Board of Educa on, either in wri ng or during Chancellor Livingston Elementary School 871-5500 ext. 6571 “Comments”, a me set aside for this purpose at each Board of Educa on mee ng. Bulkeley Middle School 871-5500 ext. 5550/5552 Complaints about specifi c individuals, however, must be addressed to the Board in Rhinebeck High School 871-5500 ext. 5505/5507 wri ng. SCHOOL TAXES EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS Susan Cross, tax collector, will be available during the months of September and Informa on about school closings, delays and unexpected early dismissals are October at 871-5520, ext. 5527. posted on the District’s Website, www.rhinebeckcsd.org, and Twi er feed. Infor- FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING TOPICS, CALL: ma on about such events is also reported to the following media outlets: -Withdrawal -Student Academic Progress RADIO: -Summer School Enrollment -Student Transcripts WRNQ FM (92.1) WCZX FM (97.7) WXPK FM (107.1) -College Applica ons Process -Student Referral Services WBPM FM (92.9) WKZE FM (98.1) WRWD FM (107.3) -Financial Aid/Scholarship Informa on WRRV FM (92.7) WCTW FM (98.5) WHUC AM (1230) WBWZ FM (93.3) WRWB FM (99.3) WBNR AM (1260) Chancellor Livingston Elementary Main Offi ce 871-5500 ext. 6571 WZCR FM (93.5) WDST FM (100.1) WALL AM (1340) Bulkeley Middle School Guidance Offi ce 871-5500 ext. 5556 WKXP FM (94.3) WHUD FM (100.7) WJIP AM (1370) Rhinebeck High School Guidance Offi ce 871-5500 ext. 5505 WPKF FM (96.1) WPDH FM (101.5) WEOK AM (1390) WRRB FM (96.9) WSPK FM (104.7) WLNA AM (1420) VISITORS Visitors are always welcome at Rhinebeck schools. However, please use only the WZAD FM (97.3) WPDA FM (106.1) WKIP AM (1450) main doors when entering the building. Anyone who is not a regular staff member or WKNY AM (1490) student is considered a visitor by Board of Educa on policy. All visitors with business at our schools must sign in with the greeter and receive a visitor’s badge before pro- TELEVISION: WRGB TV WTEN TV ceeding to their des na on. This will reduce classroom interrup ons and also comply INTERNET: www.rhinebeckcsd.org, www.cancella ons.com with state law. Classroom visits should be arranged in advance. When schools close prior to the opening of the school day, all ac vi es and FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM events for that day and evening are canceled. If schools are closed during the We believe that one of the most important ways in which children can perform bet- school day, a er-school and evening ac vi es are canceled unless otherwise an- ter in their classrooms is to provide them with the nutri on necessary for the healthy nounced. To ensure that your child will be properly cared for in the event that growth of their minds and bodies. The school lunch program provides lunch every day schools are dismissed early and no one is at home, arrangements should be made in all schools. Menus are posted on the school website, www.rhinebeckcsd.org. For at the beginning of the school year. Please be sure to explain these arrangements informa on about the program, contact Larry Anthony, 871-5500, x-6579. to your child. GGeneraleneral IInformanforma onon 2021-222021-22 TRANSPORTATION students’ needs as prescribed in the student’s Individual Educa on Plan (IEP). All public school pupils of the Rhinebeck Central School District in grades kinder- If a child is referred to the commi ee, parents will be asked for permission to evalu- garten through 12 who reside within designated limits are provided the privilege of ate the child and then will be invited to a mee ng, once the evalua on(s) have been school transporta on. completed. The parent(s) can present informa on at the mee ng or in wri ng. If the All non-public school pupils—having a ained the age required for admission to the parent(s) do not agree with the commi ee’s recommenda ons, they have the right to public school and living within 15 miles of the school they will be legally a ending— appeal. are eligible for transporta on to the school of their choice. Parents are required to If a parent suspects a child has a disability and would like the child evaluated, the fi le a form reques ng transporta on to eligible non-public schools no later than April parent should contact Ms. Emily Davison, Director of Special Educa on, at (845-871- 1st preceding the school year for which the transporta on is requested. The form is 5500 x 6551) or through a wri en request to the CSE. available at the Business Offi ce. Transporta on is provided to all students enrolled in a voca onal school program. Students in Temporary Housing All Handicapped students will be provided with transporta on as required by the Students whose nigh me residence is temporary and is neither fi xed, regular, nor Commi ee on Special Educa on. adequate, as determined by McKinney-Vento state and federal legisla on, are eligible If you have any transporta on ques ons or problems, contact Mary Ann Coe, Total to receive support in the area(s) of transporta on, school-related fees, and meals. Transporta on terminal manager, at (845)204-9660 or Susan Cross, Rhinebeck CSD at If you suspect your child may be eligible for McKinney-Vento support, contact Emily 871-5520, ext. 5527. Davison, Director of Special Educa on, at (845) 871-5500 extension 6551. HEALTH SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES Health Examina on Requirement Special educa on teacher services, as well as related services, are provided at New York State Educa on Law requires that every child in Grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and all grade levels for students who have been classifi ed by the Commi ee on Special 11 and any new entrants to the school district, must have a health examina on given Educa on. These services are provided in the least restric ve environment and are by either their family physician or the school doctor. Your family physician, who has a designed to meet the individual educa on needs as prescribed in the student’s Indi- more complete understanding of your child, can interpret his fi ndings directly to you vidual Educa on Plan (IEP). and assist you in carrying out any recommenda ons which may be indicated. In addi on to the work of specialists on our staff , the school district cooperates with A cer fi cate signed by the family doctor or pediatrician must be provided to the Dutchess BOCES, as well as other approved schools, to provide special educa on. school. If you choose to have the school doctor perform this examina on, a pediatric physician or nurse prac oner will examine your child early in the school year. It is advised that parents take kindergartners to their own physicians, just before RULES & REGULATIONS GOVERNING ATHLETES entering school, for this medical examina on, or if preferred, to the immuniza on All students must be full- me students and take at least four subjects as well as clinics at various sites. For addi onal informa on, contact your child’s school nurse. Physical Educa on. A student shall be eligible in grades 9, 10, 11, 12 to compete on For grades K-5 call 871-5500, ext. 6575; grades 6-12, call 871-5500, ext. 5536. Varsity and JV teams un l his/her nineteenth birthday. If the age of nineteen years is reached on or a er July 1, the student may con nue to par cipate during that school Immuniza on Requirements New York State Department of Health establishes vaccina on requirements for year in all sports. school age children. The requirements diff er depending on the age of the student. Students MUST have a current physical examina on by the school physician or fam- The number of doses depends on the schedule recommended by the Advisory Com- ily physician in order to be eligible to par cipate in any manner. The physicals are valid mi ee on Immuniza on Prac ces (ACIP). for a year. Modifi ed sports programs are designed for the students in grades 7 and 8. For further informa on, log onto the New York State Department of Health, The emphasis at the Modifi ed Level is par cipa on and learning the skills necessary to h ps://www.health.ny.gov compete. Excep onal athletes in 7th and 8th grade may try out for JV level teams a er comple ng the Athle c Placement Process to determine the appropriate par cipa- Administering Medica on During School Hours on level. Junior Varsity (JV) sports for the most part are for students in 9th and 10th A wri en order form from the child’s doctor must be submi ed to the school nurse. Medica on must be delivered by the parent to the school nurse. The medi- grade. Here the emphasis is on fi ne tuning skills and par cipa on. The varsity level ca on must contain the doctor’s or pharmacist’s label naming the medica on, the teams are generally for the upper class students and selec ons are based on skill and diagnosis, the dosage, and the me to administer the medica on. performance. At the varsity level, there is a strong sense of compe on. Students are expected to follow all the rules and academic policies. If you have any SPECIAL EDUCATION ques ons regarding the Interscholas c Sports Program contact Steve Boucher, Athle c Students who are suspected of having a disability as defi ned by the regula ons of Director, at 871-5500, ext. 5535. the Commissioner of Educa on are evaluated by the Commi ee on Special Educa on (CSE). The commi ee acts on referrals from school personnel and parents.Appointed by the Board of Educa on, the commi ee is defi ned as school psychologist, parents of the student, a parent member (upon request by parent), a general educa on teacher, a special educa on teacher and, upon request, a school physician. The CSE makes a determina on of eligibility. If the student is found eligible, the commi ee defi nes the educa on needs of the student through the Individualized Educa on Plan (IEP). The CSE reviews the special educa on program of the District an- nually and reports to the Board of Educa on. The District provides special educa on services in the least restric ve environment at all grade levels, individualized to the GGeneraleneral IInformanforma onon 2021-222021-22 INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS STUDENT RECORDS Rhinebeck off ers a wide selec on of interscholas c sports for students in grades Under the federal Family Educa on Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents, guardians seven through twelve, dependent upon student interest. and all students 18 years of age or older currently in a endance have the following rights pertaining to access to student records: Fall Season • To inspect and review the student’s educa onal record; Boys & Girls Cross Country (Varsity, Modifi ed) • To be assured that the school district intends to limit the disclosure of personally Girls Field Hockey (Varsity, Modifi ed)* iden fi able informa on contained in the student’s educa on records except: Boys Football (Varsity, Modifi ed A) • by prior wri en consent of the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) or the Boys Golf (Varsity) eligible student; Boys & Girls Soccer (Varsity, JV Modifi ed) • as directory informa on; or Girls Swimming (Varsity) • under certain limited circumstances, as permi ed by FERPA; Girls Volleyball (Varsity, JV, Modifi ed) • To request that records be amended to ensure that they are not inaccurate, mis- *Merged Program with Pine Plains (Pine Plains is Host) leading, or otherwise in viola on of the student’s privacy or other rights; • To fi le a complaint with the U.S. Department of Educa on alleging failure of the Winter Season district to comply with FERPA and its regula ons; and Boys & Girls Basketball (Varsity, JV, Modifi ed) • To request and receive informa on regarding the procedure for exercising the Boys Swimming (Varsity) right to inspect, review and request amendment of student records. Spring Season The District’s policy regarding the release of student directory informa on (see above) Boys Baseball (Varsity, JV, Modifi ed) applies equally to military recruiters, the media, colleges and universi es, and prospec- Boys & Girls Crew (Varsity, Novice) ve employees. Directory informa on includes, but is not limited to, the student’s Boys Lacrosse (JV)* name, parents’ names, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, par cipa on Girls So ball (Varsity, JV, Modifi ed) in school ac vi es and sports, weight and height if a member of an athle c team, dates Boys Tennis (Varsity) of a endance, degrees and awards received, and most recent educa onal ins tu on Boys & Grils Track & Field (Varsity, Modifi ed) a ended. Parents and eligible students may choose not to allow the District to release *Merged Program with Pine Plains (Rhinebeck is Host) directory informa on and should contact the student’s building principal to make this DISCIPLINE request in wri ng. The Board of Educa on believes that each student can reasonably be expected to be responsible for his/her own behavior. No eff ec ve learning can be done where SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION NOTIFICATION there is disorder in the room. School rules and regula ons apply to and from school, In accordance with the provisions of the Sex Off ender Registra on Act, commonly in the school building, on school grounds, on the school buses, and at any event or known as Megan’s Law, local law enforcement offi cials are required to no fy the district ac vity where students are involved off school grounds. when a person with a history of sex off enses against a child is being paroled or released The District’s Code of Conduct contains specifi c and detailed informa on regarding into the community. The purpose of this no fi ca on is to protect members of the com- school behavior. A copy is available through any of the schools’ main offi ces or from munity, par cularly children, by no fying them of the presence of individuals in their the District offi ce. A more defi ned applica on of our Code of Conduct is contained in midst who may present a danger. Consistent with its duty to protect students under its the handbook given to each student each year. care, the district shall cooperate with local law enforcement agencies in this endeavor. TOBACCO-FREE POLICY The Superintendent of Schools shall ensure the dissemina on of any informa on pro- The Rhinebeck Central School Board of Educa on has established and maintains a vided by local law enforcement offi cials pursuant to Megan’s Law to all staff who might tobacco-free environment in its buildings and on its grounds. Tobacco use is prohib- come into contact with the sex off ender in the course of doing their jobs, including Build- ited at all mes on District property, including grounds, buildings and vehicles owned, ing Principals, staff who issue visitors’ passes, bus drivers, custodians, playground moni- leased or contracted by the District. tors, security personnel, and coaches. Such staff will receive a photograph of the parolee, as well as informa on about how to contact the parole offi cer. Groups that regularly use ALCOHOL & DRUG POLICY school facili es with children in a endance and parents of students will be put on no ce Drinking alcohol and/or the possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages of the presence of a paroled or discharged sex off ender in the area, but will not be given on school grounds are prohibited by law and will be strictly enforced by local police agencies and school offi cials. This also includes the use of, or possession of, unlawful personal informa on regarding the sex off ender. drugs/paraphernalia. This law covers not only those hours when schools are in session, All staff requests for informa on provided by the law enforcement agencies shall be but also evenings, weekends and vaca on periods. If you see an infrac on of this law, directed to the Building Principal. Requests for informa on from community residents please call the police. shall be directed to the District Clerk. GGeneraleneral IInformanforma onon 2021-222021-22 NYSED Gradua on Requirements for students entering Grade 9 beginning in POLICY 5300 CODE OF CONDUCT 2016 (h p://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruc on/general-educa on-and- diploma-requirements): IX. Dignity for All Students: Prohibi ng Bullying, Discrimina on, 1) Pathways: Hazing and Harassment A student must either complete all the requirements for the CDOS Commencement Creden al (h p://www..nysed.gov/curriculum-instruc on/cdos-pathway-regents-or-local-diploma); or In accordance with New York State’s “Dignity for All Students Act” (“DASA”), the pass an addi onal math, science, or social studies Regents examina on in a diff erent course or Board of Educa on is commi ed to fostering civility and providing all students and Department approved alterna ve; or pass an addi onal English assessment in a diff erent course staff within the school district with an environment in which to learn and work that selected from the Department Approved Alterna ve list; or pass a Department approved CTE is safe, civil and respec ul, and free from all forms of bullying, discrimina on, hazing, pathrway assessment, following successful comple on of an approved CTE program; or pass a and/or harassment. Therefore, the Board condemns, and will not tolerate, any and all Department approved pathway assessemnt in the Arts; or pass a Department approved pathway instances of bullying and harassing behavior, and all behavior that has the purpose or assessment in a Language Other than English (LOTE). eff ect of crea ng an in mida ng, hos le, dangerous or off ensive learning or working See Mul ple Pathways (h p://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruc on/mul ple-pathways). environment. It shall be a viola on of this policy for any K-12 student, school district employee or third party (school visitor, volunteer, contractor, vendor, etc.) to bully, 2) Appeals: harass, discriminate, or in midate through word or deed any other student, employee, Appeals are subject to local district approval. More informa on on the appeal to graduate or any other individual associated with the school. with a lower score on a Regents examina on can be found at h p://www.nysed.gov/curriculum- instruc on/appeals-safety-nets-and-superintendent-determina on) Policy Defi ni ons • “School Property” means in or within any building, structure, athle c playing fi eld, 3) Special Endorsements: playground, parking lot, or land contained within the real property boundary line Honors: A student earns a computed average of at least 90 on the Regents examina ons of a public elementary or secondary school; or in or on a school bus (Educa on applicable to either a Regents diploma or a Regents diploma with advanced designa on. No Law §11[1]). more than 2 Department approved alterna ves can be subs tuted for Regents examina ons • “School Bus” means every motor vehicle owned by a public or governmental and the locally developed Checkpoint B LOTE examina on is not included in the calcula on. agency or private school and operated for the transporta on of pupils, children Mastery in Math and/or Science: A student meets all the requirements for a Regents diploma of pupils, teachers and other persons ac ng in a supervisory capacity, to or from with advanced designa on AND earns at score of 85 or be er on 3 math Regents examin ons school or school ac vi es, or, privately owned and operated for compensa on for and/or 3 science Regents examina ons. the transporta on of pupils, children of pupils, teachers and other persons ac ng Technical Endorsement: A student meets the requirements for either a local diploma, a Regents in a supervisory capacity to or from school or school ac vi es (Educa on Law diploma or a Regents diploma with advanced designa on AND successfully completes a §11[1] and Vehicle and Traffi c Law §142). Department approved CTE program including the 3 part technical assessment. • “School Func on” means a school sponsored extracurricular event or ac vity (Educa on §11[2]). Reference the Endorsements and Seals webpage (h ps://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-in- • “Disability” means (a) a physical, mental or medical impairment resul ng from struc on/endorsements-and-seals) for addi onal informa on pertaining to awarding special anatomical, physiological, gene c or neurological condi ons which prevents the endorsements to students with exam exemp ons due to COVID-19. exercise of a normal bodily func on or is demonstrable by medically accepted 4) Languages other than English (LOTE) exempt students: clinical or laboratory diagnos c techniques or (b) a record of such an impairment Students with a disability may be excused from the required units of credit in LOTE if so indi- or (c) a condi on regarded by others as such an impairment, provided, however, cated on their IEP, but they must s ll earn 22 units of credit to graduate. A LOTE exempt student that in all provisions of this ar cle dealing with employment, the term must be who seeks a Regents diploma with advanced designa on does NOT have to complete the 5-unit limited to disabili es which, upon the provision of reasonable accommoda ons, sequence in the Arts or CTE in lieu of LOTE in order to meet the assessment requirements for do not prevent the complainant from performing in a reasonable manner the the advanced diploma. ac vi es involved in the job or occupa on sought or held (Educa on Law §11[4] and Execu ve Law §292[21]). 5) Superintendent Determina on of a Local Diploma: Students with a disability who are unable to a ain a local diploma through the various safety net • “Employee” means any person receiving compensa on from a school district or provisions may be eligible for a Superintendent Determina on of a local diploma under certain employee of a contracted service provider or worker placed within the school condi ons. See Superintendent Determina on Op on (h p://www.nysed.gov/curriculum- under a public assistance employment program, pursuant to tle nine(B) of ar cle instruc on/appeals-safety-nets-and-superintendent-determina on). fi ve of the Social Services Law, and consistent with the provisions of such tle for the provision of services to such district, its students or employees, directly or 6.) Exemp ons due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency through contract, whereby such services performed by such person involve direct Students granted an exemp on from any examina on due to COVID-10 are not required to pass student contact (Educa on Law §§11[4] and 1125[3]). such specifi c examina ons to meet the assessment requirements for any diploma type. • “Sexual Orienta on” means actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality,

All students must complete 40 hours of qualifi ed community service to receive a diploma. This or bisexuality (Educa on Law §11[5]).“ requirement will be prorated on a basis of 10 hours a year for students entering a er the 9th • “Gender” means actual or perceived sex and includes a person’s gender iden- grade. ty or expression (Educa on Law §11[6]) For addi onal informa on/explana on you may contact the guidance counselors, Robert Heywood at 871-5500, ext. 5506; or Jeff rey Palazzolo at 871-5500, ext. 5504. GGeneraleneral IInformanforma onon 2021-222021-22 Dignity for All Students cont’d • “Harassment” means the crea on of a hos le environment by conduct or by hi ng, kicking, spi ng, pushing, taking personal belongings), social or rela onal aggres- verbal threats, in mida on or abuse that has or would have the eff ect of unrea- sion (such as in mida on), social exclusion, verbal aggression (such as taun ng, mali- sonably and substan ally interfering with a student’s educa onal performance, cious teasing, spreading rumors, name calling, making threats), non-verbal aggression, opportuni es or benefi ts, or mental, emo onal or physical wellbeing; or conduct, extor on, bias harassment, hate speech or ac ons, sexual harassment (refer to Policy verbal threats, in mida on or abuse that reasonably causes or would reasonably #0110), electronic bullying or cyberbullying (harassment or bullying by any form of be expected to cause a student to fear for his or her physical safety; such conduct, electronic communica on, such as communica ons using instant messaging, e-mail, verbal threats, in mida on or abuse includes but is not limited to conduct, verbal websites, blogs, chat rooms, gaming systems, social media web sites, text messag- threats, in mida on or abuse based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, ing, pagers, cell phones, and/or cell phone camera photographs, including incidents occurring off school property that create or would foreseeably create a risk of substan- weight, na onal origin, ethnic group, religion, religious prac ce, disability, sexual al disrup on within the school environment), and hazing (any conduct, methods of orienta on, gender or sex (Educa on Law§11[7]) ini a on into any student organiza on, whether on public or private property, before, • “Hazing” is an induc on, ini a on or membership process involving harassment during or a er school hours, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or which produces public humilia on, physical or emo onal discomfort, bodily injury mental health of any student or other person, or which is reasonably likely to cause or public ridicule or creates a situa on where public humilia on, physical or emo- embarrassment, in mida on, physical, emo onal or psychological harm, including loss onal discomfort, bodily injury or public ridicule is likely to occur. of human dignity, to another person). All such conduct is disrup ve of the educa onal For the purposes of this policy and its implementa on, bullying, discrimina on, haz- process and is therefore prohibited. ing, and/or harassment are considered as nega ve, hateful, and/or in mida ng ac ons It is the responsibility of all students and staff to create, support, and maintain a or behaviors that intend to and/or that do harm, that upset, or that compromise the safe, civil and respec ul school environment. This includes school-sponsored func- physical, psychological, or emo onal safety of a targeted person or persons. Anyone ons, school buses, athle cs, and other school ac vi es, whether on or off of school can become the target of bullying, discrimina on, hazing, and/or harassment. Bully- premises. ing, discrimina on hazing, and/or harassment may be based upon race, color, weight, School training programs to raise awareness of and to discourage bullying, dis- na onal origin, ethnic group, religion, religious prac ce, gender, gender iden ty or crimina on, hazing, and discrimina on will be developed for use with students and expression, sexual orienta on, or disability, all either actual or perceived. However, staff and will be provided to students and to staff on an annual basis. In addi on, staff bullying, discrimina on hazing, and/or harassment are certainly not limited to individu- members will be trained annually in awareness of and sensi vity to poten al bullying, als in these or other protected classes, and could be based upon other characteris cs discrimina on, hazing, and harassment to enable them to prevent and respond to any and all situa ons thereof. as well, such as, but not limited to, social or socioeconomic status, height, or other In order to maintain a climate of mutual respect and dignity for all students that characteris cs that an individual or individuals may target a vic m for bullying, discrimi- will strengthen students’ confi dence and promote learning, members of the staff are na on, hazing, and/or harassment. Such ac ons or behaviors may take place on school expected to confront issues of bullying, discrimina on, hazing and/or harassment property, at any school-sponsored func on regardless of the loca on, and/or on a and/or any other situa on that threatens the emo onal or physical health or safety school bus. of any student, school employee or any person who is lawfully on school, property or In addi on, such ac ons or behaviors may otherwise take place off school grounds at a school func on. Staff members are expected to address personal biases that may if they are designed to, or have the eff ect of, interfering with one’s ability to a end prevent equal treatment of all students in the school or the classroom se ng, and to school, to work, and/or to be educated/employed in a safe, non-hos le environment. report incidents of bullying, discrimina on, and/or harassment that are witnessed or Bullying, discrimina on hazing, and/or harassment that takes place at loca ons outside otherwise brought to the a en on of the staff member in a mely fashion. of school grounds which can be reasonably expected to materially and substan ally Staff members who observe behaviors that are, or might reasonably be understood interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the opera on of the school to be, incidents of bullying, discrimina on, hazing, or harassment are required to in- or impinge on the rights of other students is prohibited, and may be subject to disciplin- tervene and address such incidents, and to report such incidents that they observe or ary consequences. are reported to them to the building principal, or his/her designee, as soon as possible The District reserves the right to discipline students who engage in harassment of a er it occurs, and on a consistent and mely basis. The Building Principal, or his/her students off school property under circumstances where such off -campus conduct designee, will promptly inves gate all complaints of bullying, discrimina on, hazing, would be viola ve of the student Code of Conduct. and/or harassment, either formal or informal, verbal or wri en, and pursue appro- Any retaliatory behavior directed against complainants, vic ms, witnesses, and/or priate administra ve ac on, consis ng of measured, balanced, and age-appropriate any other individuals who par cipate in the inves ga on of allega ons of harassment responses, with remedies focused on interven on and educa on, with the focus of discipline on discerning and correc ng the reasons why bullying, discrimina on and/or is prohibited. Follow-up inquiries and/or appropriate monitoring of the alleged harasser harassment occurred, as indicated by the outcome of the inves ga on. and vic m shall be made to ensure that the prohibited behavior has not resumed and Remedial responses should be designed to correct the problem behavior, prevent that those involved in the inves ga on of allega ons of the prohibited behavior have another occurrence of the behavior, and protect the target of the act or acts. not suff ered retalia on. Furthermore, any person having reasonable cause to suspect Appropriate individual-focused remedial measures may include, but are not limited that a student or staff member has been subjected to bullying, discrimina on, hazing to: peer support groups, correc ve instruc on or other relevant learning or service or harassment by an employee or a student, as defi ned in this policy, and reports said experience; suppor ve interven on; behavioral assessment or evalua on; behavioral prohibited behavior as required shall be free from retalia on of any kind. management plans with closely-monitored benchmarks; student counseling; and par- Forms of bullying may include, but are not limited to physical aggression (such as ent conferences. School-wide or environmental remedia on strategies may include, GGeneraleneral IInformanforma onon 2021-222021-22 Dignity for All Students cont’d SEXUAL HARASSMENT cont’d unwelcome and/or unwanted, including sexual advances, requests for sexual but are not limited to: supervisory systems; school and/or community surveys to iden-favors, and physical or purely verbal conduct of a sexual nature, when: fy condi ons contribu ng to relevant behavior; research-based, systemic preven on 1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or programs; modifi ca on of schedules; adjustment of hallway traffi c pa erns and fl ow; condi on of an individual’s employment or a student’s right to a fair and equal targeted use of monitors; staff professional development; parent conferences; involve- educa onal opportunity; ment of parent-teacher organiza ons; and peer support groups. 2. submission to or rejec on of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for Vic ms of bullying, discrimina on, hazing, and/or harassment, as well as employment decisions or educa onal decisions aff ec ng such individual; individuals who have knowledge of, or who witness, a possible occurrence of bullying, 3. such conduct has the purpose or eff ect of unreasonably interfering with an discrimina on and/or harassment, are strongly encouraged to report such an incident individual’s work or academic performance or crea ng a sexually in mida ng, to a member of the staff as soon as possible if an cipated or a er it occurs. The staff hos le, or off ensive working or learning environment; member to whom the report is made shall make a report to the Building Principal or 4. condi ons exist within the school environment that allow or foster harassing designee and/or the offi cial designated by the District to inves gate allega ons of ac vi es of a sexual nature, including but not limited to obscene pictures, lewd bullying, discrimina on, hazing, and/or harassment. The vic m’s privacy and need for jokes, sexual comments, gestures and innuendos, and sexual advances. anonymity will be respected by the staff member(s) to whom the incident has been Examples of conduct that may cons tute sexual harassment and would therefore be reported. Anonymous repor ng, while severely hampering school authori es from prohibited include: fully enforcing this policy and the Code of Conduct, will enable school authori es to • Unwelcome leering, sexual fl irta ons or proposi ons monitor the situa on in the future and intervene as necessary. Retalia on against • Unwelcome sexual slurs, epithets, threats, verbal abuse, derogatory comments vic ms, witnesses, and others for repor ng such an incident, as well as deliberately or sexually degrading descrip ons falsely repor ng such an incident, is a viola on of this policy as well. • Unwelcome graphic verbal comments about an individual’s body or overly per- The Board supports ini a ves on the part of staff to model respec ul behavior in sonal conversa on the District’s schools and to acknowledge appropriate behavior by students and staff • Unwelcome sexual jokes, stories, drawings, pictures, objects or gestures members. In addi on, the Building Principal of each school will serve as the Dignity • Unwelcome spreading of sexual rumors Act Coordinator (DAC) of that school. The school’s Dignity Act Coordinator will lead • Unwelcome teasing or sexual remarks about students enrolled in a predomi- and coordinate the eff orts of the school’s DASA Team, which will be comprised of the nantly single-sex class individual school’s administrators and pupil personnel staff , who will be thoroughly • Unwelcome touching of an individual’s body or clothes in a sexual way trained to handle human rela ons in the areas of bullying, discrimina on, hazing, and/ • Deliberately limi ng a student’s access to educa onal tools based on gender or sexual preference or harassment iden fi ed in this policy, in order to proac vely address, and to respond• Condi oning academic and/or student ac vity privileges on submission to un- to, any and all incidents thereof. wanted sexual conduct from students or staff ; and The Superintendent of Schools is directed to develop and implement specifi c proce-• Cornering or blocking of a sexual nature of normal movements. dures for repor ng, inves ga ng, resolving, and documen ng bullying and Gender discrimina on is defi ned as pervasive and/or severe conduct intended to harassment complaints, as well as to implement training programs for staff and age- in midate or demean a person or persons of the other gender or that which treats appropriate bullying and harassment preven on and educa on programming for a person of the other gender diff erently in the learning or working environment students, and to communicate informa on about this policy to staff , students, parentsbecause of his or her gender. and community members through various means, including the District website. The Board also specifi cally prohibits all student-employee rela onships of a sexual or quasi-sexual nature, whether or not consensual. The Board acknowledges that the determina on of whether sexual harassment Policy #0110 or gender discrimina on has occurred will be objec ve, based upon the viewpoint of a reasonable person, taking into considera on the perspec ve of the complainant SEXUAL HARASSMENT and/or vic m. While the accused’s conduct and/or inten on may be considered, The Board of Educa on is commi ed to safeguarding the right of all students and sexual harassment may be found even where the accused had no intent to sexually staff within the school district to learn and work in an environment that is free from all harass another individual. forms of sexual harassment and gender discrimina on. Therefore, the Board, consistent with state and federal law, condemns all unwelcome and/or unwanted behavior of a sexual nature that may impose a requirement of sexual coopera on as a condi on of Sexual Harassment Complaints academic achievement or employment, or that has the purpose or eff ect of crea ng an Any student or employee who believes that he or she has been subjected to in mida ng, hos le or off ensive learning or working environment. sexual harassment or gender discrimina on may report all incidents pursuant to the Sexual harassment can occur staff -to-student, student-to-staff , staff -to staff , student-to- District policy and regula on. Anyone with relevant informa on may report allega- student, male-to-female, female-to-male, male-to-male or female-to-female. It shall be ons of harassment or discrimina on, whether that person is a student, District a viola on of this policy for any student, employee or third party (school visitor, vendor, etc.) to sexually harass, or discriminate based upon gender, any student, employee, or any employee, parent or guardian, or any other person who has relevant informa on. other individual associated with the school. The person repor ng the harassment or discrimina on need not be a witness to Generally, sexual harassment is defi ned as all sexually inappropriate conduct that is the alleged incident of harassment or discrimina on in order to report allega ons of harassment or discrimina on. GGeneraleneral IInformanforma onon 2021-222021-22 SEXUAL HARASSMENT cont’d cannot guarantee absolute confi den ality; for example, the District may have to reveal the iden ty of a vic m or witness to comply with a discovery or disclosure obliga on Students or their parents/guardians should report harassment or discrimina- under law. Examples of steps that will be taken to maintain confi den ality are: con- on by another student to the Site Level Complaint Manager. Students and staff duc ng the inves ga on interviews in a loca on that is private, maintaining confi den- should report sexual harassment or gender discrimina on by a staff member to al fi les of the inves ga on, and limi ng access to the Final Report and its fi ndings on the Title IX Compliance Offi cer. Parents and students have the right to fi le com- a need-to-know basis only. plaints with the U.S. Department of Educa on, the U.S. Department of Jus ce, If the District has knowledge of or reason to know of the occurrence of any alleged and other state or local en es. sexual harassment or gender discrimina on, the District shall, even in the absence of A staff member, Building Principal or Superintendent shall promptly report to the Site-level Complaint Manager and the Title IX Compliance Offi cer any ha- a complaint, cause a prompt and thorough inves ga on of any such incident to be rassment on the basis of sex that they observe, are informed of, or reasonably made. The inves ga on shall be commenced promptly a er receipt of the complaint, suspect. The Title IX Compliance Offi cer shall make a determina on as to who will or a er the District has knowledge of or reason to know of the occurrence, and shall inves gate the complaint (e.g., Building Principal, Title IX Compliance Offi cer, As- be concluded without unreasonable delay, as determined by the discre on of the Title sistant Title IX Compliance Offi cer, or outside inves gator). IX Compliance Offi cer. Generally, the Site-level Complaint Manager must inves gate student-to-stu- All complaints of sexual harassment and gender discrimina on shall be taken seri- dent sexual harassment complaints unless the complaint is directed against the ously and an inves ga on shall be conducted to the extent possible. The inves gator Site-level Complaint Manager, in which case the Title IX Compliance Offi cer shall shall prepare a wri en report of the inves ga on. The report shall be fi led with the inves gate it. Depending on the circumstances, the Title IX Compliance Offi cer Title IX Compliance Offi cer. In the case of an employee complainant, the report also may also conduct the inves ga on of a student-to-student sexual harassment shall be fi led in the employee’s personnel fi le. The fact of a disciplinary outcome of complaint. Any sexual harassment/gender discrimina on complaint involving any inves ga on of a sexual harassment/gender discrimina on complaint shall only be an adult staff member must be reviewed by the Title IX Compliance Offi cer and relayed to the student and his/her guardian or the employee, as the case may be, as inves gated by someone not associated with the school district site where the well as the accused, in compliance with state and federal privacy laws and regula ons. complaint arose. The wri en report becomes the fi nal District determina on 30 days a er the issuance The complainant, the alleged vic m, and the alleged witnesses of an incident of the wri en report if no appeal is made, or 30 days a er the issuance of the appeal of harassment or discrimina on shall have the right to request that an inves ga- determina on. tor of the same sex as he or she interview him or her. The District shall inform the complainant, alleged vic m and alleged witnesses of this right prior to interview- If the results of the District’s inves ga on indicate that sexual harassment, gender ing them. In the event that the alleged perpetrator of an incident of harassment discrimina on or other inappropriate behavior has occurred, immediate and appro- or discrimina on is the Compliance Offi cer, that Compliance Offi cer will not priate correc ve ac on will be taken. Correc ve ac on shall be, among other things, conduct the inves ga on into the incident. calculated to end the harassment or discrimina on and prevent retalia on, and de- Any person repor ng harassment or discrimina on must be treated respect- signed to ensure that the off ending conduct does not limit and/or interrupt the ability fully and appropriately by the Compliance Offi cer to whom he or she reports the of the complainant (and the vic m, if diff erent) to par cipate in, or benefi t from, the allega ons, and by any other person within the District’s control who is involved educa onal services, programs and/or opportuni es provided by the District. Coun- in the repor ng process. seling memoranda, le ers of reprimand, mandatory sexual harassment training, and Alleged incidents of harassment or discrimina on may be reported anony- appropriate disciplinary ac ons, are among the measures that may be taken. mously. The District will inves gate such alleged incidents to the best of its ability It is the policy of the District to determine when appropriate disciplinary ac on as thoroughly as allega ons that are not reported anonymously. should be taken against the off ending individual in accordance with law, district policy The District will inves gate allega ons of discrimina on or harassment to the and any applicable collec vely nego ated agreement. Disciplinary ac on up to and in- best of its ability regardless of whether the alleged vic m of the harassment or cluding discharge of an employee and permanent suspension of a student may occur. discrimina on is iden fi ed or is willing to speak with the Compliance Offi cer or Follow-up inquiries shall be made to ensure that the harassment has not con nued or with any other person inves ga ng the allega ons. resumed. In reaching a conclusion regarding whether or not allega ons of harassment or If the District has issued a le er to the perpetrator of an incident of harassment or discrimina on are substan ated, the District will expressly make fi ndings regard- discrimina on direc ng the perpetrator not to engage in further harassing or discrimi- ing the credibility of the alleged perpetrator. The fi nding may be that there is in- natory ac ons, and the perpetrator disobeys that direc ve and engages in a further suffi cient evidence to determine credibility. In all cases, the credibility fi nding will act of harassment or discrimina on, the District will take addi onal steps with respect take into account such factors as whether the alleged perpetrator’s statement(s) to the perpetrator beyond the ac ons that have already been taken. regarding an alleged prior incident of harassment or discrimina on has been con- If the complainant, or his/her parent/guardian in the case of a student complain- tradicted by the statements of the alleged vic m or by any witness or witnesses ant, or the accused is not sa sfi ed with the results of the inves ga on, an appeal of to the alleged prior incident. the fi nding may be made to the Board of Educa on within 30 calendar days of the Any staff member who fails to report a complaint of sexual harassment or gen- receipt of the wri en report by the Board of Educa on. der discrimina on may be subject to disciplinary ac on in accordance with law The Board prohibits retalia on against students or District employees who report and any applicable collec vely nego ated agreement. allega ons of harassment or discrimina on on the basis of sex, or who par cipate in All complaints of sexual harassment and gender discrimina on will be held in the repor ng or inves ga on of such allega ons, including against any witness who confi dence to the extent prac cable to enable the District to conduct a thorough tes fi es in a sexual harassment/gender discrimina on inves ga on. Follow-up inqui- inves ga on as permi ed by law. While the District respects the privacy and ano- ries by the Site-level Complaint Manager and the Title IX Compliance Offi cer shall be nymity of all par es and witnesses to complaints brought under this policy, it GGeneraleneral IInformanforma onon 2021-222021-22 SEXUAL HARASSMENT cont’d supervisor, the Building Principal, the Superintendent of Schools or the Title IX made to ensure that the complainant and/or witnesses have not suff ered retalia on. Compliance Offi cer. The ini a on of a complaint of sexual harassment will not refl ect nega vely on the All complaints of sexual harassment or gender discrimina on must be for- student or the employee who ini ates the complaint, nor will it aff ect the student’s warded, in wri ng, to the Title IX Compliance Offi cer appointed by the Board of academic standing, rights, or privileges, or the employee’s job assignment, status, Educa on. Each complaint of sexual harassment should be put in wri ng by the in- rights, privileges, or benefi ts. dividual complaining or the person who receives the complaint, and will be signed The District shall provide appropriate training to students, to supervisory and other by the person complaining. staff , and to Board of Educa on members regarding awareness of and sensi vity to Regardless of the provisions of the preceding paragraph, alleged incidents of issues involving sexual harassment and gender discrimina on, including condemna- harassment or discrimina on may be reported anonymously. The District will on of such conduct, the sanc ons for harassment and preven ve measures to help inves gate such alleged incidents to the best of its ability as thoroughly as allega- reduce incidents of sexual harassment. ons that are not reported anonymously. The Superintendent of Schools is directed to develop and implement specifi c The District will inves gate allega ons of discrimina on or harassment to the procedures for repor ng, inves ga ng and resolving sexual harassment and gender best of its ability regardless of whether the alleged vic m of the harassment or discrimina on complaints. discrimina on is iden fi ed or is willing to speak with the Compliance Offi cer or A copy of this policy and its accompanying regula on shall be distributed annually with any other person inves ga ng the allega ons. to all students and personnel, as well as new hires, and posted in appropriate places Any school district employee who is consulted with regard to a possible inci- in the district. dent of or complaint of sexual harassment or gender discrimina on shall: Ref: Educa on Amendments of 1972, Title IX U.S.C.§1681 • provide a copy of the Board’s Sexual Harassment Policy and Regula ons to the 34 CFR §§ 100 et seq. complainant; Gebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District, 1998 WL 32355 (1998) • promptly report the complaint or inquiry to the Site-level Complaint Manager Franklin v. Gwent County Public Schools, 503 U.S. 60 (1992) and/or the Title IX Compliance Offi cer; Meritor Savings Bank, FSB v. Vinson, 477 U.S. 57 (1986) • maintain the complainant’s privacy regarding the complaint and only commu- Offi ce for Civil Rights: Sexual Harassment Guidance: Harassment of Students nicate informa on regarding the complaint on a need-to-know basis; and by School Employees, Other Students and Third Par es, 62 CFR 12034 (March 13, 1997) • NOT a empt to provide any advice to the complainant, except to tell a stu- 1st Reading 2/12/02; 2/27/07; 11/27/07 dent complainant to consult with his/her parents/guardian. 2nd Reading 2/26/02; 3/13/07; 12/11/07 Any staff member who fails to report a possible incident or complaint of sexual Adopted harassment or gender discrimina on may be subject to disciplinary ac on in ac- SEXUAL HARASSMENT REGULATION cordance with law and any collec vely nego ated agreement. This regula on is intended to create and preserve an educa onal and working envi- Any person repor ng harassment or discrimina on must be treated respec ully ronment free from unlawful sexual harassment and gender discrimina on in further- and appropriately by the Compliance Offi cer to whom he or she reports the allega- ance of the District’s commitment to provide a healthy and produc ve environment for ons, and by any other person within the District’s control who is involved in the all students and employees that promotes respect, dignity and equity. repor ng process. Retalia on against students or District employees who report Complaint Offi cer allega ons of harassment or discrimina on on the basis of sex, or who par cipate The Board of Educa on shall appoint a Title IX Compliance Offi cer at its annual reor- in the repor ng or inves ga on of such allega ons, including against any witness ganiza on mee ng, or as needed during the year. who tes fi es in a sexual harassment/gender discrimina on inves ga on is pro- Repor ng Complaints hibited. Follow-up inquiries by the Site-level Complaint Manager and the Title IX Any student or employee who believes that he or she has been subjected to sexual Compliance Offi cer shall be made to ensure that the complainant and/or witnesses harassment or gender discrimina on may report all incidents pursuant to the District have not suff ered retalia on. policy and regula on. Anyone with relevant informa on may report allega ons of ha- rassment or discrimina on, whether that person is a student, District employee, parent Inves ga on of a Complaint or guardian, or any other person who has relevant informa on. The person repor ng The complainant, the alleged vic m, and the alleged witnesses of an incident the harassment or discrimina on need not be a witness to the alleged incident of of harassment or discrimina on shall have the right to request that an inves ga- harassment or discrimina on in order to report allega ons of harassment or discrimi- tor of the same sex as he or she interview him or her. The District shall inform the na on. complainant, alleged vic m and alleged witnesses of this right prior to interviewing A student (or his/her parent/guardian) who believes that the student has been them. In the event that the alleged perpetrator of an incident of harassment or subjected to sexual harassment or gender discrimina on by another student should discrimina on is the Compliance Offi cer, that Compliance Offi cer will not conduct immediately contact the Site-Level Complaint Manager. A student, who believes that the inves ga on into the incident. he/she has been subjected to sexual harassment or gender discrimina on by a staff Upon receipt of a complaint, the Site-level Complaint Manager shall: member, should immediately contact the Title IX Compliance Offi cer. Parents and • Conduct a preliminary inves ga on to determine whether to proceed person- students have the right to fi le complaints with the U.S. Department of Educa on, the ally or to designate or request a diff erent inves gator. U.S. Department of Jus ce, and other state and local en es. • Discuss the above ac ons with the Title IX Compliance Offi cer, unless he/she is the An employee who believes that he/she has been subjected to sexual harassment subject of the complaint, in which case the Site-level Complaint Manager should or gender discrimina on or who becomes aware of a possible incident of sexual ha- consult with the Superintendent. rassment or gender discrimina on may immediately consult with their immediate • Report the incident to the police and/or to the other appropriate authori es if the behavior cons tutes or may cons tute a crime. General Informa on 2021-22 SEXUAL HARASSMENT REGULATION cont’d A record of any disciplinary ac on taken as a result of the inves ga on will be placed in • Ensure that any inves ga on is commenced promptly a er receipt of the complaint the employee’s or the student’s fi le with the opportunity to respond. and concluded without unreasonable delay, as determined at the discre on of the The Superintendent (or President of the Board of Educa on, if the Superintendent is the Title IX Compliance Offi cer. subject of the inves ga on) shall review the summary report and shall determine whether • Document the complaint and all ac ons taken in wri ng, regardless of how informally or not formal disciplinary ac on is needed. Formal discipline of students or staff shall be in it is resolved, and forward the wri en documenta on to the Title IX Compliance Of- accordance with law, district policy and any applicable collec vely nego ated agreement. fi cer. If the results of the District’s inves ga on indicate that sexual harassment, gender If, a er consulta on, the Site-level Complaint Manager determines that a more discrimina on or other inappropriate behavior has occurred, immediate and appropriate formal inves ga on is warranted, any inves ga on must adhere to the following: correc ve ac on will be taken. Correc ve ac on shall be, among other things, calculated to 1. A formal inves ga on may be conducted by a trained Site-level Complaint Manager, end the harassment or discrimina on and prevent retalia on, and designed to ensure that the Title IX Compliance offi cer, or an outside inves gator hired by the District. the off ending conduct does not limit and/or interrupt the ability of the complainant (and 2. During the inves ga on, the inves gator must protect the confi den ality of the com- the vic m, if diff erent) to par cipate in, or benefi t from, the educa onal services, programs plainant, the vic m, the accused and all witnesses to the extent prac cable and limit and/or opportuni es provided by the District. Counseling memoranda, le ers of reprimand, distribu on of informa on about the complaint and inves ga on on a need-to-know mandatory sexual harassment training, and appropriate disciplinary ac ons, are among the basis. The inves gator shall inform all par es of the need for confi den ality. measures that may be taken. 3. The inves gator must immediately no fy the parent(s)/guardian(s) of any child It is the policy of the District to determine when appropriate disciplinary ac on should involved in the complaint, other than witnesses, that an inves ga on is taking place, be taken against the off ending individual in accordance with law, district policy and any ap- the nature of the complaint and the nature of the child’s involvement. plicable collec vely nego ated agreement. Disciplinary ac on up to and including discharge 4. The inves gator must conduct a thorough, prompt and impar al inves ga on. of an employee and permanent suspension of a student may occur. Follow-up inquiries shall 5. The inves gator must seek out relevant documents. be made to ensure that the harassment has not con nued or resumed. 6. The inves gator must interview, to the extent they are willing to be interviewed, all If the District has issued a le er to the perpetrator of an incident of harassment or dis- iden fi able witnesses, including the accused, the vic m, the complainant, and those crimina on direc ng the perpetrator not to engage in further harassing or discriminatory witnesses whose iden ty is made known to the inves gator during the inves ga on. ac ons, and the perpetrator disobeys that direc ve and engages in a further act of harass- Witnesses are limited to those persons reasonably expected to have informa on ment or discrimina on, the District will take addi onal steps with respect to the perpetrator relevant and necessary to the inves ga on of the alleged incident of harassment or beyond the ac ons that have already been taken. discrimina on. 7. The inves gator must keep accurate documenta on and records. Appeal Procedure 8. The complainant, vic m and accused may bring their a orney or union representa- The vic m (or his/her parents/guardian if a minor) and/or the accused may appeal the ve (if applicable) to any mee ngs, and children may also be accompanied by their fi ndings and/or recommenda ons of the inves ga on, as contained in the summary report, parent(s)/guardian(s). subject to the following guidelines: 9. The inves gator must no fy the accused that he/she is the subject of a complaint and 1. The appeal must be in wri ng. that an inves ga on is being conducted, unless no fi ca on of the accused would 2. The appeal must be made by the accused or the alleged vic m within 30 calendar days endanger the complainant or other individual, or impede the inves ga on. from the date of receipt of the results of the inves ga on. As soon as possible upon comple on of any inves ga on, the inves gator shall issue 3. The appeal must be made to the Board of Educa on, who shall review all relevant infor a wri en factual report containing: ma on within 30 calendar days of the date of the fi ling of the appeal. 1. A summary of the complaint and fi ndings; 4. The determina on of the Board is fi nal insofar as the District policy is concerned. 2. In reaching a conclusion regarding whether or not allega ons of harassment or discrimina on are substan ated, the District will expressly make fi ndings regarding District Training and Distribu on of Policy the credibility of the alleged perpetrator. The fi nding may be that there is insuffi cient The Superintendent shall implement specifi c and con nuing ac ons to no fy students, evidence to determine credibility. In all cases, the credibility fi nding will take into parents/guardians, employees and prospec ve students and employees that the District account such factors as whether the alleged perpetrator’s statement(s) regarding an does not discriminate on the basis of gender in the educa onal programs or ac vi es that alleged prior incident of harassment or discrimina on has been contradicted by the it operates, as required by Title IX. Such ac ons may include, but are not limited to: statements of the alleged vic m or by any witness or witnesses to the alleged prior incident. 1. annual publica on in local newspapers and/or school district publica ons; 3. A determina on of whether or not the behavior is a viola on of one or more Dis 2. announcements in school sponsored publica ons; and trict policies or regula ons or whether the evidence is inconclusive; and 3. memoranda or other wri en communica ons distributed to students and employees. 4. Recommended ac on, if any. The Superintendent shall provide for student and staff training in accordance with the The inves ga ve informa on shall be kept on fi le by the Title IX Compliance Offi c e r, District’s Sexual Harassment policy. so designated by the Superintendent to maintain such fi les, including: The Superintendent shall ensure that all students, parents/guardians and staff are in- 1. Copies of all related wri en documents, including the summary report; formed of the name, offi ce address and offi ce telephone numbers of the Title IX Compliance 2. Copies of any handwri en notes taken during the inves ga on and interviews; and Offi cer, and that such informa on is posted conspicuously and updated, as needed. 3. Any further wri en details deemed by the inves gator to be informa ve or useful to The District’s Sexual Harassment policy shall always be distributed with a copy of the appli- a be er understanding of his/her fi ndings. cable regula ons.