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Policy ACAA
It is the intent of the South Portland School Board to provide all students with an equitable opportunity to learn. To that end, the Board has a significant interest in providing a safe, orderly and respectful school environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. Harassment and sexual harassment are detrimental to student learning and achievement
Harassment of students because of actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or national origin are prohibited. Such conduct is a violation of Board policy and may constitute illegal discrimination under state and federal laws. For the purpose of this policy, “race” includes traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture, Afro hairstyles, and protective hairstyles, including braids, twists, and locs.
School employees, fellow students, volunteers, visitors to the schools, and other persons with whom students may interact in order to pursue or engage in education programs and activities, are required to refrain from such conduct.
Harassment and sexual harassment of students by school employees is considered grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. Harassment and sexual harassment of students by other students is considered grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. The Superintendent will determine appropriate sanctions for harassment of students by persons other than school employees and students.
Harassment: Harassment includes but is not limited to verbal abuse and other offensive conduct based on actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or national origin are prohibited. Harassment that rises to the level of physical assault, battery and/or abuse, and or bullying behavior are also addressed in the Board policy JICIA – Weapons, Violence and School Safety and JICK- Bullying.
Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is addressed under federal and state laws/regulations. The scope and definitions of sexual harassment under these laws differ, as described below.
TITLE IX SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Under the federal Title IX regulations, sexual harassment includes the following conduct on the basis of sex which takes place within the context of the school unit’s education programs and activities:
“Quid pro quo” sexual harassment by a school employee: Conditioning a school aid, benefit or service (such as a better grade or a college recommendation) on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;
“Hostile environment” sexual harassment: Unwelcome conduct based on sex that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies an individual’s equal access to the school unit’s education programs and activities; or
Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking as these terms are defined in federal laws.
Sexual Harassment Under Maine Law: Under Maine law, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in the following situations:
Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a student’s educational benefits;
Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as the basis for decisions on educational benefits; or
Such conduct has the purpose and effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
Reports and Complaints of Harassment or Sexual Harassment
All school employees are required to report possible incidents of harassment or sexual harassment involving students to the Affirmative Action Officer or the Title IX Coordinator. Failure to report such incidents may result in disciplinary action.
Students, parents/legal guardians and other individuals are strongly encouraged to report possible incidents of harassment or sexual harassment involving students to the Affirmative Action Officer or the Title IX Coordinator . The Affirmative Action Officer or the Title IX Coordinator is also available to answer questions and provide assistance to any individual who is unsure whether harassment or sexual harassment has occurred.
All reports and complaints of harassment or sexual harassment against students shall be addressed through the Student Discrimination/Harassment and Title IX Sexual Harassment Procedures (ACAA-R).
Legal Reference:
Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq., as amended; 28 C.F.R. § 35.107)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) (29 U.S.C. § 794 et seq., as amended; 34 C.F.R. § 104.7)
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 USC § 1681, et seq.); 34 C.F.R. Part 106
Clery Act (20 U.S.C. §1092(f)(6)(A)(v) - definition of sexual assault)
Violence Against Women Act (34 U.S.C. § 1092(f)(6)(A)(v) – definition of sexual assault; 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(10) – dating violence; 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(3) – definition of stalking; 34 U.S.C. §12291(a)(8) – definition of domestic violence)
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 USC § 2000d)
Maine Human Rights Act, 5 MRSA § 4551 et seq.
20-A MRSA § 6553
MHRC/MDOE Joint Rule Chapter 94-348 and 05-071, ch. 4
Cross Reference:
ACAA-R – Student Discrimination/Harassment and Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures
AC – Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
ACAD – Hazing
GBEB- Staff Conduct with Students
JFCK-Student Use of Cellular Telephones and Other Electronic Devices
JICIA – Weapons, Violence and School Safety
JICK-Bullying
Adopted: May 9, 1988
Revised: January 11, 1999
Revised: May 14, 2001
Revised: December 11, 2006, Revised: December 10, 2012 , Revised: September 16, 2020
Revised: November 14, 2022
Revised: December 11, 2023
*Please excuse any formatting errors.
