Section 10-040.  Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment will not be tolerated in the USD 263 school district.  Sexual harassment of employees or students of the district by board members, administrators, certificated and support personnel, students, vendors, and any others having business or other contact with the school district is strictly prohibited. 

Sexual harassment shall include, but not be limited to, inappropriate sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:  (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individuals; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or learning performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or learning environment.

No district employee shall sexually harass, be sexually harassed, or fail to investigate or refer a complaint of sexual harassment for investigation.  Complaints of sexual harassment by employees will be promptly investigated and resolved.  Initiation of a complaint of sexual harassment will not adversely affect the job security or status of an employee, nor will it affect his or her compensation or work assignment.  Violation of this policy shall result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination, against any employee.  Complaints initiated by students shall not affect their school status or academic standing.  Students who violate the policy will be subject to disciplinary action which may include expulsion from the district.

Employees who believe that they have been subject to sexual harassment should discuss the problem with their immediate supervisor.  If an employee's immediate supervisor is the alleged harasser, the employee should discuss the problem with the building principal or the superintendent.

Students who believe that they have been subject to racial harassment should discuss this situation with their building administrator.  If the administrator is the alleged harasser, the student should discuss the situation with the superintendent of schools.  If the superintendent is the alleged harasser in any situation, the matter should be discussed with the Board of Education President.

If the Board of Education as a whole or as individuals are the alleged harassers in the course of their official duties, the matter should be addressed in written form to the Clerk of the Board and the School District 's attorney for a resolution.

Employees and students who do not believe that the matter is appropriately resolved through the meeting process may file a written complaint under the district's complaint procedure.  Confidentiality shall be maintained throughout the process.                            Revised 2-24-97 .