ACA (GBAA)

(JBAA)

DEERFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

TITLE VI AND IX

I. Purpose

The Deerfield School District wishes to provide an educational environment in which everyone may work and learn in an atmosphere of respect for the dignity and worth of all. This environment must be free of sexual harassment. In order to promote this environment, the administration will disseminate to all staff and appropriate students laws, policy, and procedures designed to protect people from being sexually harassed.

Sexual harassment of any employee or student by any other employee or student, or by anyone a student or employee may interact with in order to fulfill job or school responsibilities, is not only illegal as a form of sex discrimination as defined by Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972 but also is a violation of the District’s policy.

II. Definition

Sexual harassment is offensive behavior (often of a repetitious nature) that includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other conduct wherein:

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a condition of an individual’s employment or academic standing;

2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting that individual;

3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance or creating an intimidating or offensive environment.

It is recognized that, particularly in the case of students, school officials or staff may play an active role in identifying and/or articulating the “unwelcome” nature of sexual advances or other applicable conduct.

Conduct which may be considered sexual harassment includes such things as:

1. Verbal harassment or abuse

2. Subtle pressure for sexual activity

3. Sexist remarks about an individual’s clothing, body or sexual activities

4. Unnecessary/unwelcome physical contact

5. Demands for sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats concerning one’s job, grades, letters of recommendation, etc.

6. Physical assault

7. Display of sexually suggestive objects, pictures or gestures.

Sexual harassment will be treated as a major disciplinary offense so that, depending on the circumstances and the degree of harassment, the offender may be disciplined with a warning, verbal/written reprimand, or suspension or be subject to discharge or expulsion. Additionally, some forms of sexual harassment are considered violations of criminal law and such must be referred to legal authorities. Refer to the grievance procedure accompanying this policy statement in addressing student or employee complaints.

APPROVED: June, 1988 by Deerfield School Board

REFFIRMED: July, 1992

AMENDED: October, 1996

REAFFIRMED: January, 2000; October, 2001; September, 2005