Greater Egg Harbor Regional Board of Education
5512.01 Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (continued)
Reporting Procedure
Complaints alleging violations shall be reported to the school administration.
All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this
Policy to school administration. All other members of the school community,
including pupils, parents, guardians, volunteers, and visitors are encouraged
to report any act that may be a violation of this policy. While submission
of an Incident Report Form to the Principal is not required, the reporting
party is encouraged to use the Form available from the High School Office.
Oral reports will also be considered official reports. Reports may be
made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action may not be based solely
on an anonymous report.
Investigation
The building administration is responsible for determining whether an
alleged act constitutes a violation of the Policy. The Principal shall
conduct or cause to be conducted a prompt, thorough, and complete investigation
of the alleged incident. The Principal will cause a record of each investigation
regarding allegations of harassment, intimidation, or bullying to be
maintained in the High School Office.
Response to Policy Violations
Some acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may be isolated incidents
requiring the school to respond appropriately to the individual or individuals
committing the acts or acts. Other acts may be so serious or part of
such a larger pattern that the response required will be at the class,
building, district of law enforcement levels.
Consequences and appropriate remedial actions for pupils who commit an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying range from the positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion as permitted under N.J.S.A. 18A:37-1.
In considering whether a response beyond the individual level is appropriate, the administration will consider the nature and circumstances of the act, the level of harm, the nature of the behavior, past incidents, past or continuing patterns of behavior, and the context in which the alleged incident or incidents occurred. The school district’s response can range from school and community surveys, to mailings, to focus groups, adoption of research-based bullying prevention programs and training. The district’s responses may include participation of parents and guardians and the community members in group presentations.
Reprisal or Retaliation Prohibited
The District prohibits reprisal or retaliation against any person who
reports an act under this Policy. The consequences and appropriate remedial
action for a person who engages in reprisal or retaliation shall be
determined by the Principals after consideration of the nature and circumstances
of the act. In accordance with case law, Federal and State law, regulations
and district policy regulation.