included in the school district's publication of the rules, procedures and
standards of conduct for schools and in all student handbooks.
VI.
Procedures for Reporting and Investigating Complaints of Bullying
A. Students and parents (or guardians of students) may file written reports
of bullying. Written reports of bullying shall be reasonably specific as to
the basis for the report, including the time and place of the alleged
conduct, the number of incidents, the target of the suspected bullying,
and the names of potential witnesses. Such reports may be filed with
any building administrator and/or the Safe School Climate Specialist (i.e.
building principal), and all reports shall be forwarded to the Safe School
Climate Specialist for review and actions consistent with this Plan.
B. Students may make anonymous reports of bullying to any school
employee. Students may also request anonymity when making a report,
even if the student’s identity is known to the school employee. In cases
where a student requests anonymity, the Safe School Climate Specialist
or his/her designee shall meet with the student (if the student’s identity
is known) to review the request for anonymity and discuss the impact
that maintaining the anonymity of the complainant may have on the
investigation and on any possible remedial action. All anonymous
reports shall be reviewed and reasonable action will be taken to address
the situation, to the extent such action may be taken that does not
disclose the source of the report, and is consistent with the due process
rights of the student(s) alleged to have committed acts of bullying. No
disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous
report.
C. School employees who witness acts of bullying or receive reports of
bullying shall orally notify the Safe School Climate Specialist or another
school administrator if the Safe School Climate Specialist is unavailable,
not later than one (1) school day after such school employee witnesses
or receives a report of bullying. The school employee shall then file a
written report not later than two (2) school days after making such
oral report.
D. The Safe School Specialist shall be responsible for reviewing any
anonymous reports of bullying and shall investigate or supervise the
investigation of all reports of bullying and ensure that such investigation
is completed promptly after receipt of any written reports. In order to
allow the district to adequately investigate complaints filed by a student
or parent/guardian, the parent of the student suspected of being bullied
should be asked to provide consent to permit the release of that student’s
name in connection with the investigation process, unless the student
and/or parent has requested anonymity.
E. In investigating reports of bullying, the Safe School Climate Specialist or
designee will consider all available information known, including the
nature of the allegations and the ages of the students involved. The Safe
School Climate Specialist will interview witnesses, as necessary,
reminding the alleged perpetrator and other parties that retaliation is
strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.
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