Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying

The South Kitsap School District strives to provide students with optimal conditions for learning by maintaining a school environment where everyone is treated with respect and no one is physically or emotionally harmed. In order to ensure respect and prevent harm, it is a violation of district policy for a student to be harassed, intimidated, or bullied by others in the school community, at school sponsored events, or when such actions create a substantial disruption to the educational process. The school community includes all students, school employees, school board members, contractors, unpaid volunteers, families, patrons, and other visitors. Student(s) will not be harassed because of their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, mental or physical disability, or other distinguishing characteristics. Any school staff who observes, overhears, or otherwise witnesses harassment, intimidation or bullying or to whom such actions have been reported must take prompt and appropriate action to stop the harassment and to prevent its reoccurrence.

The Title IX Officer, Section 504 Coordinator, and Gender Inclusivity Officer with the responsibility for monitoring, auditing and ensuring compliance with district policies are:

Compliance/ADA/Title IX Coordinator:
Will Sarett,
Executive Director of Human Resources
2689 Hoover Avenue SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-874-7071
sarett@skschools.org

Section 504 Coordinator:
Kimberly House,
Director of Special Services
2689 Hoover Avenue SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-443-3648,
house@skschools.org

Gender Inclusivity Compliance Officer
Dr. Tom Edwards,
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning
2689 Hoover Ave SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366
360-874-7003
edwards@skschools.org

Definition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying: RCW 28A.600.477
“Harassment, intimidation, or bullying” means any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act including, but not limited to, one shown to be motivated by sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act:

Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property;
Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education;
Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

There is no requirement that the affected student actually possess the characteristic that is the basis for the harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
How to prevent being a target:

Learn how to speak out and stick up for yourself:
- If it feels safe, look the bully in the eye and say strongly and calmly, “Leave me alone.”
- Walk (don’t run) away from the bully. Running away may strengthen a feeling of power in the bully.
- Tell an adult about the experience. If you see another student being bullied, seek help from an adult right away.
Stay near adults and other kids. Most bullying occurs when adults are not around.
Stay away from places where bullying occurs.

What makes bullying different from other conflicts?

There is an imbalance of power. People who bully use their power to control or harm, and the people being bullied may have a hard time defending themselves.
Intent to cause harm. Actions done by accident are not bullying; the person bullying has a goal to cause harm.
Repetition. Incidents of bullying happen to the same person over and over by the same person or group.

Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is the repeated use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices to willfully harm, harass, humiliate, threaten, or damage the reputation and relationships of the intended target.

How to report Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying:

You can report HIB to any school staff member, School Compliance Officer, or the District Compliance Officer. Reports can be filed anonymously. See the HIB Incident Reporting link here:

Link to HIB reporting form

What happens after Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying (HIB) is reported?
Each situation is different. Sometimes a report can be followed by quick intervention and resolution. These situations typically do not meet the definition of HIB.

When an incident or series of incidents meets the definition of HIB, a designated school staff member conducts an investigation and follows a specific timeline described in (Policy 3207). The investigation includes interviews and notification of parent(s)/guardian(s) of both the alleged aggressor and the targeted student. If the outcome of the investigation indicates that HIB has occurred, consequences may be assigned and a plan may be developed which includes follow-up with the targeted student.

Targeted Student’s Right to Appeal (Policy 3207)
If the targeted student or parent/guardian is dissatisfied with the results of the investigation, they may appeal to the superintendent or designee by filing a written notice of appeal within five (5) school days of receiving the written decision. The superintendent or designee will review the investigative report and issue a written decision on the merits of the appeal within ten (10) school days of receiving the notice of appeal.

If the targeted student or parent/guardian remains dissatisfied after the initial appeal to the superintendent or designee, the student or parent/guardian may appeal to the school board by filing a written notice of appeal with the secretary of the school board on or before the fifth (5th) school day following the date upon which the targeted student or parent/guardian received the superintendent’s written decision.

An appeal before the school board or disciplinary appeal council must be heard on or before the tenth (10th) school day following the filing of the written notice of appeal to the school board. The school board or disciplinary appeal council will review the record and render a written decision on the merits of the appeal on or before the tenth (10th) school day following the termination of the hearing, and will provide a copy to all parties involved. The board or council’s decision will be the final district decision.