The Board of Trustees affirms the right of every student to be protected from hate-motivated behavior. It is the intent of the Board to promote harmonious relationships that enable students to gain a true understanding of the civil rights and social responsibilities of people in our society. Behavior or statements that degrade an individual on the basis of his/her actual or perceived race, ethnicity, culture, heritage, gender, sexual orientation, physical/mental attributes, religious beliefs or practices shall not be tolerated.

Any student who feels that he/she is a victim of hate-motivated behavior shall immediately contact the principal or designee. If the student believes that the situation has not been remedied by the principal or designee, he/she may file a complaint in accordance with district complaint procedures. Upon receiving a complaint of hate motivated behavior, discrimination or harassment, the Coordinator of Non Discrimination shall immediately investigate the complaint in accordance with site-level grievance procedures specified in the district’s policies prohibiting Sexual Harassment. Where the Coordinator finds that hate motivated behavior has occurred, he/she shall take prompt, appropriate action to end the hate motivated behavior and address its effects on the victim.

Staff who receive notice of hate-motivated behavior or personally observe such behavior shall notify the principal, Superintendent or designee, and law enforcement, as appropriate. Students demonstrating hate-motivated behavior shall be subject to discipline in accordance with Board policy and administrative regulation.

In addition, the district shall provide counseling and appropriate sensitivity training and diversity education for students exhibiting hate-motivated behavior. The district shall also provide counseling, guidance and support, as necessary, to those students who are the victims of hate-motivated behavior.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that staff receive appropriate training to recognize hate-motivated behavior and methods for handling such behavior in appropriate ways.

The district shall provide age-appropriate instruction to help promote understanding of and respect for human rights. At the beginning of each school year, students and staff shall receive a copy of the district's policy on hate-motivated behavior.