Bullying Prohibition and Harassment, Discrimination and Violence Policies – Revised Oct. 25, 2010
Monday, October 25th, 2010

Summary:

  • The harassment and bullying policies were revised to make it clear to anyone who reads them, which specific groups are "protected classes" under the policies. (Note: federal and state law define protected classes.) Safety is the first priority in student learning - Anoka‐Hennepin is committed to ensuring all schools are as safe as possible.

Issue in Brief

The Anoka-Hennepin School District's policy to prevent harassment, violence and discrimination has been in place since 1985 and the district's bullying prohibition policy was adopted in 2006. The harassment policy referred to the list of "protected classes" defined in equal opportunity policies. The bullying policy did not list protected classes because it was felt the potential for bullying goes far beyond the usual classes of sex, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, religion, etc. Protected classes are ones for which harassment and discrimination are specifically prohibited, however the Anoka-Hennepin School District is committed to a safe working and learning environment for all.

Because protected classes were not spelled out in detail in these policies, some people thought the district did not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. This was never the case. The revised policies make clear the protected classes defined in equal opportunity policies:

  •  race,
  •  color,
  • creed,
  • religion,
  • national origin,
  • sex,
  • marital status,
  •  disability,
  • status with regard to public assistance,
  • sexual orientation, and
  • age.

The School Board also strengthened the retaliation provision in the harassment policy, designed to ensure that someone who makes a compliant of harassment will not be targeted later because of the complaint.

To facilitate reporting an incident of harassment, violence or discrimination, a form is available here: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=223566&fileitem=68438&catfilter=15002.

To view the Harassment, Violence and Discrimination Policy, go here: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=223566&fileitem=38138&catfilter=15002

To view the Bullying Prohibition Policy Including Cyberbullying, go here: http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=223567&fileitem=38328&catfilter=15023


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