Bullying & Harassment Prevention
It is the policy of this school district that bullying of students by other students, personnel, or the public will not be tolerated. Students are expected to be civil, polite, and fully engaged in the learning process. Students who act inappropriately are not fully engaged in the learning process. This policy is in effect while the students are on school grounds, in school vehicles, at designated bus stops, at school-sponsored activities, or at school-sanctioned events, and while away from school grounds if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management, and welfare of the school district. Bullying of students by electronic communication is prohibited whether or not such communication originated at school or with school equipment if the communication is specifically directed at students or school personnel and concerns harassment, intimidation, or bullying at school. The school district is not required to provide educational services in the regular school setting to any student who has been removed from a public school or private school in Oklahoma or another state by administrative or judicial process for an act of using electronic communication with the intent to terrify, intimidate or harass, or threaten to inflict injury or physical harm to faculty or students.
Definitions
Bullying means any pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal or electronic communication directed toward a student or group of students that results in or is reasonably perceived as being done with the intent to cause negative educational or physical results for the targeted individual or group and is communicated in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school’s educational mission or the education of any student.
Electronic communication means the communication of any written, verbal, pictorial information or video content by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, a mobile or cellular telephone or other wireless communication device, or a computer.
Threatening behavior means any pattern of behavior or isolated action, whether or not it is directed at another person, that a reasonable person would believe indicates a potential for future harm to students, school personnel, or school property.
Procedures
The procedure for investigating reported incidents of harassment, intimidation, and bullying or threatening behavior, is as follows:
The matter should immediately be reported to the building principal. The Harassment/Bullying form (FD-F.3) should be completed for each reported incident by the person reporting the incident or the person having knowledge of the bullying. If the bullying involved an electronic communication, a printed copy of the communication, as well as any identifying information such as email address or web address, shall be provided to the building principal. As much detailed information as possible should be provided to the building principal in written form to allow for a thorough investigation of the matter.
Upon receipt of a written report or form, the building principal shall contact the superintendent and begin an investigation to determine the severity of the incident and the potential for future violence.
If, during the course of the investigation, it appears that a crime may have been committed the building principal and/or superintendent shall notify local law enforcement and request that the alleged victim also contact law enforcement to report the matter for potential criminal investigation.
If it is determined that the school district’s discipline code has been violated, the building principal shall follow district policies regarding the discipline of the student. The building principal shall make a determination as to whether the conduct is actually occurring. If it is determined that an act of bullying has occurred, a referral will be made to a delinquency prevention and diversion program administered by the Office of Juvenile Affairs.
Upon completion of the investigation, the principal or superintendent may recommend that available community mental health care substance abuse or other counseling options be provided to the student, if appropriate. This may include information about the types of support services available to the student bully, victim and any other students affected by the prohibited behavior. If such a recommendation is made, the administration shall request disclosure of any information that indicates an explicit threat to the safety of students or school personnel provided the disclosure of information does not violate the provisions or requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Section 2503 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Section 1376 of Title 59 of Oklahoma Statutes, or any other state or federal laws relating to the disclosure of confidential information.
Upon completion of an investigation, timely notice shall be provided to the parents or guardians of a victim of documented and verified bullying. This information should be provided within 5 school days of the conclusion of the investigation.
Upon completion of an investigation, timely notice shall be provided to the perpetrator of the documented and verified bullying. This information should be provided within 5 school days of the conclusion of the investigation.
Reports may be made anonymously. However, no formal disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report. Reports shall be made immediately to the building principal by any school employee that has reliable information that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that a person is a target of bullying,
The Superintendent shall be responsible for enforcing this policy. The building principal should notify the superintendent within twenty-four (24) hours of any report of bullying. Upon completion of an investigation, the building principal should notify the superintendent of the findings of the investigation. Documentation should also be provided to the superintendent to establish that timely notification was provided to the parents of the victim and the parents of the perpetrator.
