Sexual Harassment

It is the policy of the Southwest Vermont Regional Technical School District to oppose and prohibit without qualification, sexual harassment in our school

Sexual harassment violates an individual’s basic civil rights, undermines the integrity of the school environment and adversely affects students, teachers, and other school personnel whether or not they are direct subjects of harassment. Sexual harassent is a form of unlawful discrimination according to federal and state statutes. Sexual harassment committed by a student, faculty member, or member of the administration or other school personnel and can result in formal student discipline or employee/ personnel actions up to and including dismissal. Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful harassment and is defined as; any unwelcome sexual advance, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature if occurring in the context of a working or learning environment. Sexual harassment occurs:

(a) when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or a student’s education success.
(b) when submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for official decisions affecting the student, teacher or employee;
(c) when such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially unreasonably interfering with someone’s working or learning performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or learning environment.

Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, the following, when such acts or behavior come within one of the above definitions:

• Verbal – offensive sexual comments, insults or threats; jokes of a sexual nature, unwanted flirtations, or sexually degrading words to describe someone.
• Non-verbal – sexual suggestive objects or pictures on books, lockers or clothing; suggestive obscene or insulting sounds, whistling, gestures, leering, graffiti or other writings of a sexually insulting nature.
• Physical – unwanted contact including offensive touching, pinching or brushing up against someone’s body, coercing sexual intercourse or assault.

Any student or employee who feels that he or she is a victim of sexual harassment shall report the incident to the Asst. Director at 447-0220 x135. Any teacher/staff who observes, overhears, or otherwise witnesses any sexual harassment shall take immediate and appropriate action to stop that harassment and to prevent its reoccurrence. Thereafter, the teacher/staff shall report the incident to the Assistant Director for investigation and enforcement of the student grievance or personnel discipline policy as set forth below.

Applicability - This Student Anti-Harassment Policy shall apply to behavior that occurs on school district premises, school buses, CDC work sites, and/or at school sponsored events (including school trips) regardless of the location of the event. Upon receipt of a complaint or report of unlawful harassment, the CDC shall conduct and complete an investigation or, where applicable, an informal resolution process in accordance with procedures adopted under this policy.

False Reporting Prohibited - A person who knowingly makes a false report or complaint may be subject to the same action that the CDC may take against individuals who violate this policy. The term “false report or complaint” refers only to those made in bad faith and does not include a report or complaint that could not be corroborated or which did not rise to the level of unlawful harassment. Retaliation Prohibited - The CDC shall take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, or other school personnel who retaliates against any person for making a good faith report or complaint of unlawful harassment or for participating in an investigation or other part of the procedures implementing this policy.

Reporting Procedure

Students or Parents wishing to report a possible sexual harassment incident should contact Robert Montgomery, Assistant Director, 447-0220 x135. The report of sexual harassment shall be in writing or, if made orally to the Assistant Director, shall be summarized in writing by the Interim Director and shall be kept in the Assistant Director’s office. Sexual harassment complaint forms are available from building administrators.

Investigation Procedure - An investigation of any report of harassment, sexual harassment, hazing, bullying, abuse or neglect, violation of rules or civil rights, will be initiated before the end of the next school day. Within 3 school days an initial determination of the validity of the report shall be made. If the report is found to be valid, then a plan of corrective action will be drawn up and implemented.

Corrective Actions
First Offense: Student will be trained and assessed on his/her knowledge of the harassment policy and the reasons for its existence.
Second Offense: Student will be subject to the above and other discipline at the discretion of the Interim Director or his/her designee.
Additional Offenses: Appearance before the Educational Support Team, and any consequences they deem appropriate and reasonable.

Grievous acts in violation of this policy will receive immediate suspension until a meeting of parents, student, Educational Support Team and Interim Director takes place. Such action may result in the full range of disciplinary actions, including suspension and, after the appropriate hearing, expulsion. Whenever possible, and to the extent permitted by law, the parent or guardian of the person who was the victim of a verified act of harassment will be notified of the steps taken to prevent any further acts of harassment.

NOTE: All CDC School Policies are available online at our website at www.svcdc.org. Bullying Prevention Because the Regional Governing Board, administration, faculty, and staff wish to maintain a learning environment which is respectful to all and free of violence, any actions which constitute “bullying” are strictly prohibited. Bullying means any overt act or combinations of such acts directed against a student by another student or group of students and which:
a) occurs during the school day on school property, on a school bus, or at school sponsored activity;
b) is intended to ridicule, humiliate, or intimidate the student; and c) is repeated over time.

If you believe that you are a victim or know a victim of bullying, you are strongly encouraged to speak to a member of the faculty or staff, and/or to make a report, either personally or anonymously to the CDC Director.