Adapted from
Copyright © by Eberharter-Maki&Tappen, PA
It is the policy of this district to maintain a safe school environment for all students while attending school, riding the school bus, and attending district-sponsored activities on school premises or at other locations. Harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, regardless of the specific nature of the students’ behavior, is disruptive to a safe school environment and will not be tolerated.
DEFINITION
Harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying is defined as misconduct by a student(s), which is characterized by the aggressor(s) repeatedly engaging in negative actions against another student(s) in an attempt to exercise control over the victim. Harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying is generally characterized by aggressive or intentionally harmful behavior, which is carried out repeatedly over time.
PROHIBITED BEHAVIOR
Students attending district schools are prohibited from engaging in the following behaviors:
1. Physical abuse against a student, including, but not limited to, hitting, pushing, tripping, kicking, blocking, or
restraining another’s movement; sexual misconduct; causing damage to another’s clothing or possessions; and
taking another’s belongings.
2. Verbal abuse against a student, including, but not limited to, name calling, threatening, sexual misconduct, taunting,
and malicious teasing.
3. Psychological abuse against a student, including, but not limited to, spreading harmful or inappropriate rumors
regarding another, drawing inappropriate pictures or writing inappropriate statements regarding another, and intentionally
excluding another from groups, or similar activities.
4. Cyberbullying, including, but not limited to, using any electronic communication device to convey a message in any
format (audio or video, text, graphics, photographs, or any combination thereof) that intimidates, harasses, or is
otherwise intended to harm another individual.
5. Harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, including any intentional gesture or any intentional written, verbal, or
physical acts or threats, against another student that:
a. A reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of:
(1) Harming a student; or
(2) Damaging a student’s property; or
(3) Placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person; or
(4) Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to his or her property; or
b. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational
environment for a student.
6. Conspiring with another individual to commit any act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying against another student.
The prohibition extends not only to actions taking place on school grounds but also actions originating at a remote location and carried out via any technology, including, but not limited to, the use of a landline, car phone, or wireless telephone, or through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network.
INVESTIGATION
The school administrator or designee will investigate any allegations of misconduct that are reasonably characterized as harassment, intimidation, or bullying. At the discretion of the school principal and/or superintendent, the alleged perpetrator(s) may be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Students who engage in harassment, intimidation, or bullying will be disciplined as determined to be appropriate, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion.
REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
The school administrator will refer allegations of bullying to law enforcement if he/she reasonably believes that the student has engaged in conduct, including harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying, in violation of Idaho Code Section 18-917A.
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
Idaho Code Sections
18-917A
33-512
ADOPTED: March 10, 2008
AMENDED: November 9, 2009