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Sexual Harassment Policy

Sexual harassment of coworkers or students by employees is a form of discrimination and is prohibited by law and district policy. In addition to the following information, district administrators may obtain a copy of the Sexual Harassment/Title IX handbook from the Human Resources office.

Employee-to-Employee. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct under the following conditions:

  • Submission to such conduct is explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment.
  • Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for employment decisions.
  • The conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or otherwise offensive work environment.

Same-sex sexual harassment is also prohibited.

Employees who believe that they have been sexually harassed by another employee are encouraged to come forward with complaints. The district will promptly investigate all allegations of sexual harassment and will take prompt appropriate disciplinary action against employees found to have engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment of other employees.

Employee-to-Student. Sexual harassment of students by employees is a form of discrimination and is prohibited by law. Sexual harassment of students includes any welcome or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other oral, written, physical, or visual conduct of a sexual nature. Romantic relationships between district employees and students are strictly prohibited. Other prohibited conduct includes the following:

  • Engaging in sexually oriented conversations for the purpose of personal sexual gratification
  • Telephoning students at home or elsewhere and engaging in inappropriate social relationships
  • Engaging in physical contact that would reasonably be construed as sexual in nature
  • Enticing or threatening students to get them to engage in sexual behavior in exchange for grades or other school-related benefits

In most instances, sexual abuse of a student by an employee violates the student’s constitutional right to bodily integrity. Sexual abuse may include, but is not limited to, fondling, sexual assault, or sexual intercourse.

Employees who suspect a student is being sexually harassed or abused by another employee are obligated to report their concerns to the campus principal. All allegations of sexual harassment or sexual abuse of a student will be reported to the student’s parents and promptly investigated. Conduct that may be characterized as known or suspected child abuse also will be reported to the appropriate authorities, as required by law.

Employees with questions or concerns relating to the alleged sexual harassment of a student should contact the office of the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. A complaint may also be filed separately with the Office of Civil Rights:

Regional Director
Office of Civil Rights, Region VI
1999 Bryan Street, Suite 2600
Dallas, Texas 75201
Telephone: (214) 880-2459/ Fax: (214) 880-3082/ TDD: (214) 880-2456