Regulation JCDAG-R(1): Bullying

Bullying/Harassment/Hazing

The District expressly prohibits the bullying/harassment/hazing of any student, by any means or method, at school, on school property, or at school-related functions; while traveling to or from school on a school bus; off-campus when the behavior results in a disruption to the school environment; or by use of data or software that is accessed through a District computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of the District.

1. Definitions
2. Bullying – Unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.
3. Harassment – Unwelcome conduct based on real or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender Identity or gender expression. It may take many forms, including verbal acts and name‐calling; graphic and written statements, which may include use of cell phones or the Internet; or other conduct that may be physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating. Harassment does not have to include intent to harm, be directed at a specific target, or involve repeated incidents. Unlike bullying, harassment does not always involve a real or perceived power imbalance. Harassment creates a hostile environment when the conduct is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to interfere with or limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by a school.

4. Hazing – Bullying and intimidation in association with rituals to join an extracurricular group/activity or to raise a student’s rank/status within the organization.

5. Prohibited Behaviors

Examples of prohibited behaviors include, but are not limited to: * Verbal assaults such as unwanted teasing or name-calling; * Rumors or spreading of falsehoods; * Threats, taunts and intimidation through words and/or gestures; * Public humiliation; * Social isolation; * Harassment Stalking; * Direct physical contact such as hitting or shoving; * Physical violence and/or attacks; * Theft of money and/or personal possessions for the purpose of bullying, harassing, or intimidating; * Extortion or manipulation, including incitement and/or coercion; * Destruction of school or personal property; * Any form of electronic bullying or cyberbullying using school equipment, school networks, or e-mail systems or committed at school; * The use of cameras or camera phones to take embarrassing photographs of students or school employees and distributing them to others or posting them online; * Sending abusive or threatening text messages or instant messages; and * Using websites to circulate gossip and rumors to other students; * Cyberbullying or the willful, hostile and repeated harassment and intimidation of a person through the use of digital technologies, including, but not limited to, email, blogs, social networking websites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Kik, etc.), chat rooms, texts, and instant messaging; * Cyberstalking or engaging in conduct to communicate, or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at or about a specific person, causing substantial emotional distress to the victim; * All staff, students, and parents or guardians will receive a verbatim copy of this policy prohibiting bullying/harassment/hazing at the beginning of the school year as part of the Code of Student Conduct.

1. Reporting Incidents of Bullying/Harassment/Hazing

Bullying/Harassment/Hazing may be reported by a student, parent, guardian, or other stakeholder to an administrator, teacher, counselor, or other staff member at the student’s school. At the option of the person reporting the incident, the report may be made either by name or anonymously and either verbally or in writing. Reporting forms may be found in the Code of Student Conduct, on the District’s website, and at each District school. Reports of bullying/harassment/hazing also may be made by using the District’s Alert Line at 1-888-475-0482 or by calling the Georgia Department of Education’s School Safety Hotline at 1-877 SAY-STOP (1-877-729-7867).

Any employee to whom bullying/harassment/hazing is reported must promptly document the report and forward it to the principal or designee. Any employee who witnesses an incident of bullying/harassment/hazing or who otherwise learns that a student is being bullied/harassed/hazed must promptly, but no later than one (1) day following the receipt of a concern, submit a written report to the principal or designee. The principal or designee shall ensure that proper documentation is maintained throughout the investigation and resolution of the matter. If the report is made by the the alleged target/victim, the principal or designee will the parent or guardian immediately upon receipt of the report.

If the reporting student or the parent or guardian of the student feels that the school is not taking appropriate steps to investigate or address the problem even after consulting the school principal, the student or the parent or guardian should contact the appropriate Regional Superintendent or his or her designee.

Students who believe that another student at their school is being bullied/harassed/hazed are urged to inform a teacher, counselor, administrator or other staff member.

The District strictly prohibits retaliation against any person who reports bullying/harassment/hazing or participates in an investigation of bullying/harassment/hazing. Incidents of retaliation should be reported using the same process as used for the original complaint and will be investigated and resolved by school or district personnel.

Where complainants request confidentiality, schools shall share details of reports of bullying/harassment/hazing with only those individuals who need to know consistent with the District’s obligation to respond promptly and appropriately to reports of misconduct.

An employee who fails to comply with the requirements of Board Policy JCDAG and this accompanying regulation may be subject to disciplinary action, up to including termination of employment.

1. Responding to Incidents of Bullying/Harassment/Hazing

School officials are expected to intervene immediately when they see a bullying/harassment/hazing incident occur or upon receipt of any report of bullying/harassment/hazing. The following actions will be taken when bullying/harassment/hazing is reported.

1. Investigation – Upon receipt of any report of bullying/harassment/hazing, the principal or designee will direct an immediate investigation involving appropriate personnel. The investigation should begin no later than the following school day. The investigation shall include interviewing the alleged perpetrator(s), victim(s), identified witnesses, teacher(s), and staff members and reviewing video surveillance, if available. School counselors, school social workers, and other support staff should be utilized for their expertise as determined by the circumstances of the matter. The school shall keep confidential the results of the investigation, except with respect to the District’s notification and reporting obligations.

2. Notification –

3. ​​​​​​​At an appropriate time during or after the investigation of a report, the parent or guardian of both the accused and the victim must be notified, but no later than three (3) days after completion of the investigation. If the incident involves an injury or similar situation, appropriate medical attention should be provided, and the parent or guardian should be notified immediately.

4. At the conclusion of the investigation, both the victim and the offending student must be notified of the results of the investigation. Victims may request information about the sanction imposed upon a student who was found to have engaged in harassment when the sanction directly relates to the victim. This includes an order that the harasser stay away from the harassed student, or that the harasser is prohibited from attending school for a period of time, or transferred to other classes. Schools will not disclose of other information in the offending student’s “education record,” including information about sanctions that do not relate to the harassed student.

5. Interim Measures – The school will take steps to protect the complainant as necessary, including taking interim steps before the final outcome of the investigation.

6. Disciplinary Action – Upon a finding of guilt, a student who has committed the offense of bullying/harassment/hazing will be given an age-appropriate consequence which shall include, at minimum and without limitation, counseling, disciplinary action or other consequence as appropriate under the circumstances. Disciplinary action after the first incident of bullying/harassment/hazing may include but is not limited to the following:

7. Loss of a privilege;
8. Reassignment of seats in the classroom, cafeteria, or school bus;
9. Reassignment of classes;
10. Detention;
11. In-school suspension;
12. Out-of-school suspension (through appropriate due process hearing);
13. Expulsion (through appropriate due process hearing)

14. Assignment to an alternative school (through appropriate due process hearing).

15. Follow Up and Aftercare – Follow up is important to the accused, the victim, and in some circumstances, the broader school community. Each school must provide after-care and follow up to individuals and groups affected by the bullying/harassment/hazing. Where necessary, counseling and other interventions should be provided to address the social-emotional, behavioral, and academic needs of students who are victims of bullying/harassment/hazing and students who commit an offense of bullying/harassment/hazing. Schools must also assess school climate to determine whether additional staff training or student instruction is needed. Where appropriate, the school should also reiterate the prohibition on retaliation and how to report such misconduct.

Pursuant to state law, students in grades six through twelve found to have committed the offense of bullying/harassment/hazing for the third time in a school year shall at a minimum be assigned to an alternative school through appropriate due process by disciplinary hearing officers, panels, or tribunals.