Policy on Harassment

GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

        The Tiverton School Department is committed to equal employment and educational opportunity for all employees and applicants, students, parents, and members of the school community, including those parties who are contracted to perform work for the Tiverton Public Schools, without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability in all aspects of employment and education.  Members of the school community include the school committee, administrations, faculty, staff, students, and volunteers working in the schools, while they work and study subject to school authorities.

        The Tiverton School Department is also committed to maintaining a school and work environment free of harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, or disability.  The Tiverton School Department expects all employees and other members of the school community to conduct themselves in an appropriate and professional manner, with respect and concern for their colleagues and students.

        Harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, and gender identity or expression for any reason or in any form is prohibited and will not be tolerated.

        The Tiverton School Department will act to investigate all complaints of harassment, either formal or informal, verbal or written, and to discipline any student or employee who harasses a student or employee of the District.

HARASSMENT DEFINED

        Harassment includes verbal or physical conduct which may or does unreasonably offend, denigrate, or belittle an individual because of any of the characteristics described above.  Such conduct includes, but is not limited to, unsolicited remarks, jokes, comments, innuendoes, gestures, or physical contact; or the display or circulation of written materials or pictures derogatory to either gender or to racial, ethnic, religious, age, sexual orientation or disabled individuals or groups.

III.  SEXUAL HARASSEMENT DEFINED

Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct, or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature when:

submission to that conduct or communication is made a term or condition, either explicitly or implicitly, of obtaining or retaining employment or of obtaining an education; or

submission to or rejection of that conduct or communication by an individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting that individual’s employment or education; or

that conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment or education, or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment or educational environment.

Sexual harassment  may also include explicit sexual proposition, sexual innuendo, suggestive comments, sexually-oriented kidding or teasing, practical jokes, jokes about gender, specific traits, foul or obscene language or gestures, display of offensive or obscene printed or visual material and physical conduct which intrudes upon the privacy of another’s body.

REPORTING PROCEDURES AND SANCTIONS

        Anyone who believes that this policy statement has been violated should follow procedures set forth in Tiverton School Department’s PROCEDURES FOR RESOLVING COMPLAINTS OF HARASSMENT*.  An investigation will be conducted in a timely fashion with appropriate attention to the legitimate interests of any individual against whom a complaint has been lodged.  Following the investigation, such action as is deemed appropriate will be taken.

        Any employee or member of the school community found to have engaged in harassment shall be subject to sanctions, including, but not limited to:  warning, suspension, or termination.  Any attempt by an employee or a student to retaliate against a person who makes, or provides information regarding a claim of harassment is also strictly prohibited.  No one will be reprimanded or punished in any way for initiating a good faith inquiry or complaint.

        Any School Department action taken pursuant to this policy will be consistent with requirements of applicable collective bargaining agreements, Rhode Island statues, regulations, and policies of the Tiverton School Department.

*  Copies available in the Tiverton School Department Policy Manual in every school office, and in the Central Office,