SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

Grossmont Union High School District is committed to making the educational environment for students free from sexual harassment. Board Policy 5145.7 prohibits sexual harassment as defined in the Educational Code to mean unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, made by someone from or in the educational setting.

The District prohibits conduct that has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact upon the individual's work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.

The District further prohibits sexual harassment which conditions a student's academic status, progress, benefits, services, honors, program or activities based on submission to such conduct.

Students should report any sexual harassment to their school principal, vice principal, counselor, or teacher. Students who violate this policy shall be disciplined appropriately, including suspension or possible expulsion. Employees who violate this policy shall be disciplined, pursuant to Board Policy 4119.11.

Complaints must be initiated no later than six (6) months from the date when the alleged discrimination occurred or when the individual first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged discrimination. Investigation of alleged discrimination complaints shall be conducted in a manner that protects confidentiality of individuals and the facts. The District prohibits retaliatory behavior against any complainant or any participant in the complaint process. The initiation of a complaint of sexual harassment will not reflect negatively on the student who initiates the complaint nor will it affect the student's academic standing, rights or privileges.

Sometimes harassment complaints can be settled at the school and sometimes at the District office. If the complaint is not settled after mediation and/or investigation, you have the right to discuss your concerns with the Superintendent. If it is not resolved there, you may go to the Governing Board, Child Protective Services, and/or law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Office of Civil Rights, which may also investigate complaints of sexual harassment. The U.S. Office of Civil Rights may be contacted directly to file complaints.

This notice is prepared and disseminated in compliance with Board Policies regarding student rights and required notifications. It is designed for students and paraphrases the details of actual Board Policies and Administrative Regulations. For additional information or the complete District policy governing sexual harassment (BP 5145.7) contact:

Steven Sonnich , Title IX Coordinator
Grossmont Union High School District
PO Box 1043
La Mesa, CA 91944-1043
(619) 644-8019

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