Harassment of Students Prohibited
(Board Policy 7-20)

Statement of Policy
A learning environment that is free from any form of discrimination and harassment is essential and shall be maintained. No person, including a District employee or agent, or student, shall harass, intimidate, or bully a student on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, military status, unfavorable discharge from military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression,  ancestry, age, religion, physical or mental disability, order of protection status, the status of being unhoused, or actual or potential marital [or parental] status,  pregnancy, citizenship status, immigration status, association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics, or any other distinguishing characteristic. 

Criteria
District 113 will not tolerate harassing, intimidating conduct, or bullying, whether verbal, physical, sexual, or visual that affects the tangible benefits of education, that unreasonably interferes with a student’s educational performance, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. Examples of prohibited conduct may include, but are not limited to: 

1. Name-calling, verbal kidding, mimicking, telling jokes, using derogatory slurs, 
2. Written graffiti or slogans, 
3. Innuendoes, 
4. Comments, verbal or written, spreading rumors, 
5. Pictures, drawings, or printed materials (electronic or hard copy), 
6. Stalking, 
7. Sexual violence, 
8. Causing psychological harm, 
9. Electronic bullying, 
10. Hazing or inappropriate initiation, 
11. Threatening or causing physical harm, 
12. Threatened or actual destruction of property, 
13. Wearing or possessing items depicting or implying hatred or prejudice of one of the characteristics stated above. 

Making an explicit threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a student, or any school-related personnel under circumstances described in Section 10-22.6(d-5) of the School Code is also prohibited under this policy.

Sexual Harassment Prohibited
Sexual harassment is both against Board policy and may be a violation of the law. Sexual harassment of students is prohibited. Reports or complaints of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, including sex-based harassment, as defined in Board policy 2-265, Title IX Grievance Procedure, will be referred to the District’s Title IX Coordinator for evaluation.

Making a Complaint

Students are encouraged to promptly report claims of harassment in violation of this policy to one of the District’s Complaint Managers:         

1. Tom Krieger - 1040 Park Ave. West, Highland Park, IL 60035    (224) 765-1005 
2. Mirah Anti - 1040 Park Ave. West, Highland Park, IL 60035        (224) 765-1028

Students or parents may use the District’s complaint form

However, a student need not submit a complaint using the form above. A student may also make a report of harassment to the Building Principal or any other employee with whom the student is comfortable speaking. A student may choose to report/talk to someone of their same sex.  Employees that receive a report or complaint of harassment in violation of this policy must promptly forward the report or complaint to a Complaint Manager. Any employee who fails to promptly comply may be disciplined, up to and including discharge.

DCFS mandated reporting requirements must be considered and followed. Complaints will be kept confidential to the extent possible given any investigation and steps to maintain an educational environment free from unlawful discrimination, including harassment. 

Investigation

For any report or complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of sex, including sex-based harassment, that, if true, would implicate Title IX and its implementing regulations, the Complaint Manager shall refer the complaint or report to the Title IX Coordinator for consideration of whether action under Board policy 2-265 should be initiated. Should an investigation under Board policy 2-265 be deemed appropriate, the investigation procedures of Board policy 2-265 shall be used.

For any other alleged harassment that does not require action under Board policy 2-265, the Complaint Manager or designee shall consider whether an investigation under Board policies 2-260, 2-270, 7-190, and/or any other applicable Board policies should be initiated. Should an investigation be deemed appropriate, the investigation procedures of the relevant policy or policies will be applied.

Enforcement

Any district employee who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by the policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge. Any District student who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension and expulsion consistent with the disciplinary policy, 7-190, and the Disciplinary section of this handbook.

If an investigation results in a finding that a person knowingly made a false accusation regarding prohibited conduct, that person will likewise be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge, with regard to employees, or suspension and/or expulsion, with regard to students.

The initiation of a good faith complaint of sexual harassment or participation by a person in a subsequent investigation will not result in discipline and retaliation against said person for such initiation or participation is strictly prohibited.

Retaliation

Retaliation against any person for bringing complaints or providing information about harassment and/or retaliation in violation of this policy is prohibited. Students should report allegations of retaliation to the Building Principal, a Complaint Manager, or any District employee with whom the student is comfortable speaking.

Resources

The Sexual Abuse and Resource Prevention Guide developed in accordance with Public Act 102-0676, 105 ILCS 5/2-3.1881, offers essential information on where to seek help in cases of suspected, reported, or investigated sexual abuse. It emphasizes the importance of support for both victims and caregivers and underscores the role of education in prevention.