PUPIL SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION POLICY

BULLYING

The School Board is committed to providing all pupils a safe school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with respect. Bullying will not be tolerated in Raymond Schools in accordance with RSA 193-F.

Bullying Defined

Bullying is conduct that subjects a pupil to insults, taunts, or challenges, whether verbal or physical in nature, which may intimidate or provoke a violent or disorderly response from the student being treated in this manner.

The Superintendent will develop administrative regulations to implement this policy. The Superintendent will develop a uniform form for reporting incidents.

Reporting Procedures

Any school employee, or employee of a company under contract with a school in the District, or the District itself, who has witnessed or has reliable information that a pupil has been subjected to "bullying," as defined above, shall report such incident to the building Principal.

The Principal who is initially responsible for receiving oral or written reports of violations of the policy may designate, in writing, additional persons to receive such reports and to take appropriate disciplinary action such as verbal reprimand and possible suspension in serious cases. In extreme cases, the Superintendent may recommend expulsion by the School Board. The Principal will receive written reports within twenty-four (24) hours of violations of the policy.

The Principal will submit a monthly written report of incidents to the Superintendent. The Principal will report serious incidents to the Superintendent within twenty-four (24) hours of the incident. Copies of the uniform reporting document referenced above shall be kept on file in the office at each school.

The District will provide forms for reporting incidents of bullying and shall encourage the use of these forms. Incident forms shall be available in the Principal's office in each building. All reports of bullying will be reported in accordance with the procedures specified in Policy AC: Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity.

Training

The Superintendent may develop age-appropriate methods of discussing the meaning, substance, and application of this policy with staff and students in order to minimize the occurrence of bullying, and for staff to effectively respond to any such incidents.

Notice of Policy

The Superintendent shall provide notice to students and staff of this policy through the appropriate references in the student and employee handbooks, or through other reasonable means. The Superintendent shall also make all contractors hired by the District aware of this policy.

Discipline

Any disciplinary action shall be taken in accordance with applicable School Board policy and legal requirements.

Statutory Reference:

RSA 193-F

Adopted: March 1, 2001

Revised: August 1, 2002

Revised: August 4, 2004