The Palisades School Board has in place a Discrimination/Title IX Sexual Harassment Affecting Students Board Policy (#103), Hazing Board Policy (#247), and Bullying/Cyberbullying Board Policy (#249) reflecting the district's commitment to providing a safe, positive learning climate for students in the schools. The policies prohibit all forms of unlawful harassment, hazing, and bullying of students by all district students and staff members, contracted individuals and vendors, and volunteers in the schools. Students who believe they are being harassed, hazed, or bullied should immediately inform the harasser that such behavior is unwelcome, offensive or inappropriate. Furthermore, they are encouraged to promptly report such incidents to their principal, teacher, school counselor or the District Compliance Officer, Dr.Bridget O'Connell, Superintendent. Harassment, hazing, or bullying complaints shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, to the extent possible, and no reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith charges or harassment, hazing, or bullying.
The term harassment includes but is not limited to repeated, unwelcome and offensive slurs, jokes, or other verbal, graphic or physical conduct relating to an individual's race, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age or handicap/disability which create an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. Ethnic harassment includes the repeated, unwelcome and offensive use of any derogatory word, phrase or action characterizing a given racial or ethnic group that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other inappropriate verbal, non-verbal, written, graphic or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Harassment and Sexual Harassment must be Sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive; and create an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment such that it deprives or adversely interferes with or limits an individual or group of the ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by a school.