Board Policy JCDAG: Bullying

Bullying/Harassment/Hazing

Students cannot be expected to reach their full academic potential in an environment of fear and intimidation. All schools in the DeKalb County School District have an obligation to provide a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment for their students and to promote mutual respect and acceptance among students, staff and volunteers.

The District expressly prohibits the bullying/harassing/hazing of any student, by any means or method, at school, on school property, in school vehicles, at designated school bus stops, or at school-related functions or activities; or 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 computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of the District.

Pursuant to state law, this policy also applies to acts of cyberbullying which occur through the use of electronic communication, whether or not such electronic act originated on school property or with school equipment, if the electronic communication:

1. is directed specifically at students or school personnel;

2. is maliciously intended for the purpose of threatening the safety of those specified or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school and;

3. creates a reasonable fear of harm to the students’ or school personnel’s person or property or has a high likelihood of succeeding in that purpose.

For purposes of this policy, electronic communication includes but is not limited to any transfer of signs, signals, writings, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic or photo optical system.

All staff, students, and parents or guardians will receive a verbatim copy of this policy and accompanying administrative regulation prohibiting bullying/harassment/hazing at the beginning of the school year as part of the Code of Student Conduct.

The District strictly prohibits retaliation against any person who reports bullying/harassment/hazing or participates in an investigation of bullying/harassment/hazing. Schools shall keep reports of bullying/harassment/hazing confidential to the extent consistent with a thorough investigation.

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.

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

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. If the incident involves an injury or similar situation, appropriate medical attention should be provided, and the parent or guardian should be notified immediately.

Upon being found in violation, a student who has committed the offense of bullying/harassment/hazing should be given an age-appropriate consequence which shall include, at minimum and without limitation, disciplinary action or counseling as appropriate under the circumstances.

Detailed guidelines and procedures for reporting and addressing student bullying/harassment/hazing shall be implemented in accordance with the accompanying administrative regulation.