North Hills School District's Bullying Policy

As students return to school, parents may be wondering exactly what policies North Hills School District has in place to address bullying.  Not only the playground variety, but also cyber-bullying.  

Following is the text from Policy 241 from the district's website.

The North Hills School Board is committed to providing all students and employees with a safe and civil educational environment, free from threat, harassment or bullying.  The Board recognizes that bullying interferes with the learning process, and may present an obstacle to the academic, vocational, and social/emotional development of students. Therefore, it shall be the policy of the School District to maintain an educational environment in which bullying and harassment, in any form, are not tolerated.   

Bullying is a pattern of abuse over time and means any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act, or series of acts, directed at another student or students which occurs in or relates to a school setting and that has the effect of doing any of the following:        

• Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property;
• Substantially interferes with a student’s education;
• Is severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidation or threatening educational environment;
• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school; and school setting shall mean in the school, on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a designated bus stop or at any activity sponsored, supervised or sanctioned by the school; or
• Occurs outside a school setting if those acts are directed at another student or students, are severe, persistent and pervasive, or have the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education, creating a threatening environment or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Bullying, as defined in this policy, includes cyber bullying, i.e. bullying by electronic device(s). 

Each staff member shall be responsible to maintain an educational environment free from bullying.  Staff members who observe or become aware of an act of bullying shall take immediate, appropriate steps to intervene unless intervention would be a threat to staff members’ safety.  If a staff member believes that his/her intervention has not resolved the matter, or if the bullying persists, s/he shall report thebullying to the school principal for further investigation.   

A student shall report a complaint of bullying to the school principal or a school district employee, who shall inform the student of his/her rights and of the complaint process.   

The school principal or designee shall immediately conduct an impartial, thorough and confidential investigation of the alleged bullying behavior, which should include interviewing the bully and the potential victim.  This investigation may also include interviews with students, parents/guardians, and school staff; review of school records; and any other appropriate means of investigation.  Since harassment and bullying are closely related types of behavior, if it is determined that, as per Board Policy 233 and 236, the student is being harassed rather than bullied; the investigation and other applicable procedures should proceed within the framework of Board Policy No. 233 and 236. 

The school principal or designee shall summarize the investigation as per school procedures, recommending disposition of the complaint.  

Counseling, corrective discipline, and/or referral to law enforcement will be used to change the behavior of the perpetrator and remediate the impact on the victim.  This includes appropriate intervention(s), restoration of a positive climate, and support for victims and others impacted by the violation.  False reports or retaliation for harassment, intimidation or bullying also constitutes violations of this policy. 

This policy is not intended to prohibit expression of religious, philosophical, or political views, provided that the expression does not substantially disrupt the education environment.  Many behaviors that do not rise to the level of harassment, intimidation, or bullying may still be prohibited by other district policies or building, classroom, or program rules.

The Superintendent is authorized to direct the development and implementation of procedures addressing the elements of this policy. 

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