The Board will vigorously enforce its prohibition against discriminatory harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, ancestry, or any class that is protected by Federal Civil Rights laws. The district will investigate allegations of discriminatory harassment and, in those cases where discriminatory harassment is substantiated, the district will take immediate steps to end the harassment, prevent its reoccurrence, and remedy its effects. Individuals who are found to have engaged in unlawful harassment will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

The Board will also take immediate steps to impose disciplinary action on individuals engaging in any of the following prohibited acts:

A. Retaliating against a person who has made a report or filed a complaint alleging unlawful harassment, or who has participated as a witness in a harassment investigation.

B. Filing a malicious or knowingly false report or complaint of unlawful harassment.

C. Disregarding, failing to investigate adequately, or delaying investigation of allegations of harassment, when responsibility for reporting and/or investigating unlawful harassment charges comprises part of one's supervisory duties.

Race/Color Harassment

Prohibited racial harassment occurs when unwelcome physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct is based upon an individual's race or color and when the conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with the individual's work or educational performance; of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, and/or learning environment; or of interfering with one's ability to participate in or benefit from a class or an educational program or activity. Such harassment may occur where conduct is directed at the characteristics of a person's race or color, such as racial slurs, nicknames implying stereotypes, epithets, and/or negative references relative to racial customs.

Religious (Creed) Harassment

Prohibited religious harassment occurs when unwelcome physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct is based upon an individual's religion or creed and when the conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with the individual's work or educational performance; of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working and/or learning environment; or of interfering with one's ability to participate in or benefit from a class or an educational program or activity. Such harassment may occur where conduct is directed at the characteristics of a person's religious tradition, clothing, or surnames, and/or involves religious slurs.

National Origin/Ancestry Harassment

Prohibited national origin/ancestry harassment occurs when unwelcome physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct is based upon an individual's national origin or ancestry and when the conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with the individual's work or educational performance; of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working and/or learning environment; or of interfering with one's ability to participate in or benefit from a class or an educational program or activity. Such harassment may occur where conduct is directed at the characteristics of a person's national origin or ancestry, such as negative comments regarding customs, manner of speaking, language, surnames, or ethnic slurs.

Disability Harassment

Prohibited disability harassment occurs when unwelcome physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct is based upon an individual's disability and when the conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with the individual's work or educational performance; of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working and/or learning environment; or of interfering with one's ability to participate in or benefit from a class or an educational program or activity. Such harassment may occur where conduct is directed at the characteristics of a person's disability, such as negative comments about speech patterns, movement, physical impairments or defects/appearances, or the like. Such harassment may further occur where conduct is directed at or pertains to a person's genetic information.

The Board designates the following individuals to serve as the district's "Compliance Officers" (also known as "Civil Rights Coordinators" and "Anti-Harassment Compliance Officers").

Sarah Walker, Assistant Superintendent

sarah_walker@amherstk12.org or 440-988-1980

or

David Odelli, Director of Human Resources

david_odelli@amherstk12.org or 440-988-1948

The Compliance Officer(s) are responsible for coordinating the District’s efforts to comply with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, including the District’s duty to address in a prompt and equitable manner any inquiries or complaints regarding discrimination and harassment.

The Compliance Officer(s) will be available during regular school/work hours to discuss concerns related to discriminatory harassment, to assist students, other members of the District community, third parties who seek support or advice when informing another individual about "unwelcome" conduct, or to intercede informally on behalf of the individual in those instances where concerns have not resulted in the filing of a formal complaint and where all parties are in agreement to participate in an informal process.

All students, administrators, teachers, staff, and other school personnel share responsibility for avoiding, discouraging, and reporting any form of discrimination or harassment. Below is a parent and student reporting form that can be completed to assist in a discriminatory harassment complaint:

Parent and Student Reporting Form 

Please submit this form to building administration or the district's compliance officers.