While the U.S. Supreme Court hears a landmark sexual harassment case, Nebo School District officials are trying to make sure that nothing like it happens in their schools.
District officials passed a sexual harassment policy to ensure "a learning and work environment that is free from sexual harassment, and is in compliance with state and federal law," according to the district's policy statement.Nebo defines sexual harassment as "any verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment; any suggestion, request, demand or pressure for sexual involvement, accompanied by an implied or explicit threat concerning one's grades, extracurricular standing or job; or any unwanted sexual advance or request."
Included in behaviors that district officials will consider harassment are sexual jokes, spreading of sexual rumors, sexist remarks or gender-based stereotyping, "pantsing," unwanted grabbing and touching and actual or attempted sexual assaults.
"(These types) of sexual conduct, either openly manifest or subtle, will be considered misconduct, because it is considered demeaning to another person, invades their privacy and undermines the integrity of the employee and/or student rela-tion-ships," said Phil Bird, the district's director of human resources.
According to Bird, who helped draft the policy, "The district strongly disapproves of any form of sexual harassment involving employees, students and visitors and will take preventive and corrective action against those participating in these activities."
In substantiated harassment cases, those corrective actions may include discipline that is age appropriate for students and possible suspensions or dismissals for employees and/or visitors. However, students or employees who file frivolous, unfounded or malicious sexual harassment claims may find themselves subject to disciplinary action.
The policy also includes procedures for students or employees to follow if they are sexually harassed, beginning with telling the offender to stop the behavior or actions, and ending with reporting the incident to a teacher, counselor, administrator, supervisor or other staff member and filling out a harassment complaint within 180 days.
If preliminary investigation shows the allegations are more than trivial, parents of the students involved will be contacted. Additionally, principals or supervisors will report every harassment incident to Bird. Cases involving students will be handled by the school, unless their serious nature - such as child sexual abuse - requires the district or state to investigate.
Above all, "fairness and due process must be observed in conducting the investigation, to protect the rights and interest of both the alleged victim and the alleged harasser," Bird said, adding that it includes keeping the allegations confidential and making sure that there are no reprisals against anyone testifying about or investigating any allegations.