Agenda Item
2. First Read: Approve Amendment to Board Policy GAEB: Sexual Harassment of Employees
Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Marissa Key, Executive Director of Legal Affairs, Division of Legal Services
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education amend Board Policy GAEB: Sexual Harassment of Employees.
Why: Board Policy GAEB: Sexual Harassment of Employees needs to be revised to align with the recently released 2024 Title IX Regulations.
Details: The U.S. Department of Education released new Title IX Regulations effective August 2024. The proposed revision to Board Policy GAEB: Sexual Harassment of Employees complies with the new regulations. It is being requested that the District revise this policy in accordance with the new Title IX regulations.
Financial impact: There is no financial impact to the District.
Contact: Ms. Melanie Slaton, General Counsel, Hall Booth Smith, PC, Attorneys at Law, (404)954-5000.
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the General Counsel
Board Policy Manual
DeKalb County School District
Board Policy GAEB: Sexual Harassment of Employees Status: ADOPTED
Original Adopted Date: 01/01/1900 | Last Revised Date: 12/07/2020 | Last Reviewed Date: 12/07/2020
Sexual Harassment of Employees
All employees of the DeKalb County School District are entitled to work in an environment free from harassment, including
sexual harassment and all other forms of discrimination. In accordance with state and federal laws, the District prohibits
harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, religion,
age, disability, genetic information, service in the uniformed service or any other legally protected status.
Harassment is a form of misconduct that undermines the integrity of the employment relationship and is prohibited by this
policy. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, offensive verbal or physical conduct by supervisory or non-supervisory
staff.
Sexual harassment is a form of misconduct based on sexual overtures that undermines the integrity of the employment
relationship. No employee, male or female, shall be subjected to unsolicited and unwelcomed sexual overtures or conduct of
a verbal or physical nature.
Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature. It refers to unwelcome sexual
advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when this conduct explicitly or
implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance, or creates an
intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
Such conduct, whether committed by supervisors or by non-supervisory personnel, is specifically prohibited by law and by
this policy. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual flirtations or propositions, verbal abuse or
abusive physical conduct of a sexual nature, graphic or degrading verbal comments about an individual's appearance, or the
display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures. Furthermore, no supervisor or employee shall threaten or insinuate, either
explicitly or implicitly, that an employee's refusal to submit to sexual advances will adversely affect the employee's
employment, evaluation, wages, advancement, assigned duties, work shifts, or any other condition of employment or career
development.
It is the duty of all employees to promptly report harassment forbidden by this policy. If employees believe they have
witnessed or have been subjected to any act of harassment, they should immediately report the behavior in accordance with
Administrative regulation GAEB-R(1).
The District should promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigate claims of harassment or discrimination. The District
should take appropriate disciplinary action when it is determined harassment or discrimination has occurred.
No one will be subjected to, and the District prohibits, any form of discipline, reprisal, intimidation or retaliation for good faith
reporting of incidents of any kind, pursuing a harassment claim or cooperation in related investigations. Any employee who
retaliates against such person as a result of their participation in the process will be subject to disciplinary action.
The Superintendent, his/her designee, and/or the appropriate staff are authorized to develop the processes and procedures
that are necessary to implement this policy.
Nothing in this policy is intended to create rights beyond those already created by federal and/or state law.
Supporting Links
FIRST READ ~ Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: Board Policy GAEB, Sexual Harassment of Employees -
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=4054&MID=88982