The School District of Auburndale seeks to provide a learning environment free of any form of harassment or intimidation toward and between students. Therefore, the District will not tolerate harassment in any form and will take all necessary and appropriate action to eliminate it, up to and including discipline of the offenders.

“Student harassment” means behavior toward students based, in whole or in part, on sex, race, religion, national origin, color, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability or handicap which substantially interferes with a student’s school performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive school environment.

It is the responsibility of students, staff and others to help enforce this policy so that these prohibited activities do not occur in our school environment. The  principals are responsible for disciplining the offenders. The Board believes that when it comes to student discipline, each individual situation needs to be addressed according to the severity of the incident, along with the intellectual and emotional stage of each student as well as all of the relevant facts and circumstances.

Any student who believes that he/she has been the subject of harassment, or any parents/guardians who believe their child has been subjected to harassment, shall report the matter in accordance with established procedures. There shall be no retaliation against students who file reports under this policy. All reports shall be investigated in a timely manner.

In order to ensure dissemination of this policy, this policy will be included in all future student handbooks. Discussion of harassment shall be included at an age appropriate level through the District’s developmental guidance program.

Rules, including the complaint procedure and associated form, will be given to any individual wishing to file a complaint.

Legal References

Section 118.13, Wisconsin Statutes

PI 9, Wisconsin Administrative Code

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990