USD 417 Bullying Policy
Adopted by USD 417 BOE December 13, 2007
Bullying is a deliberate repeated verbal, non-verbal, written, electronic, and/or physical attack over time with the intent to harm or intimidate another student emotionally or physically. USD 417 will not tolerate these actions by students or staff.
An act of bullying by either an individual student or group of students is expressly prohibited on school property or at school-related functions. This policy applies not only to students who directly engage in an act of bullying but also to students who, by their indirect behavior, condone or support another student’s act of bullying.
No teacher, administrator, or employee of the school district shall permit, condone, or tolerate bullying.
Apparent permission or consent by a student being bullied does not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy.
Retaliation against a victim, good faith reporter, or a witness of bullying is prohibited.
A person who engages in an act of bullying, reprisal, or false reporting of bullying, or who permits, condones, or tolerates bullying shall be subject to discipline for that act in accordance with the school district’s policies and procedures. The school district may take into account the following factors: the ages of the parties involved; the developmental and maturity levels and/or special education needs of the parties involved; and the severity of the behavior.
Discipline guidelines for student bullying will be progressive in severity, beginning with a visit to the principal or counselor to elicit behavior modification, with repeated offenses over time possibly resulting in expulsion. The severity of the initial bullying behavior may dictate a more aggressive first step.
It is the belief of USD 417 that every student deserves a school atmosphere that is safe and conducive to learning.
