Governing Board - Policies
Policies/Regulations
Governing Board Policies
Section J - Students
Policy Title: Bullying, Intimidation and Harassment
Policy Code: JICFB
Print Version: In MS Word | In Adobe PDF
Bullying is a form of harassment. For the purposes of this policy, bullying is defined as: The repeated intimidation of students by the real or threatened infliction of physical, verbal, written, electronically transmitted, or emotional abuse, or through attacks on the property of another. It may include, but not be limited to actions such as verbal taunts, name-calling and put-downs, including ethnically based or gender-based verbal put‑downs, and extortion of money or possessions. Such conduct is disruptive of the educational process and therefore, bullying is unacceptable behavior in the Tucson Unified School District.
Students who engage in any act of bullying while at school, at any school function, in connection to or with any District sponsored activity or event, or while en route to or from school are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or expulsion. Law enforcement officials shall be notified of bullying incidents, as required by law.
This policy also applies to students who, by their indirect behavior, condone or support another student's act of bullying.
All teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, volunteers, contractors, or other employees of the school district shall take action when bullying is observed or a student has informed the employee about a bullying event or situation.
Retaliation against a victim, good faith reporter, or a witness of bullying is prohibited.
Intentional false accusations or false reports of bullying against another student are prohibited. If a student is unsure about whether an event or situation is bullying they are encouraged to consult with a teacher, counselor, or other school employee. A person who engages in an act of bullying, reprisal, or false reporting of bullying or permits, condones, or tolerates bullying shall be subject to discipline for that act in accordance with school district policies and procedures.
The school district representative will investigate all complaints of bullying and will discipline or take appropriate action against individuals who have violated this policy.
The school district will give annual notice of this policy to students, parents or guardians, and staff in the Student's Rights and Responsibility Handbook.
Adopted: October 5, 2004 [As Policy JICL]
Revision: June 14, 2011 [Revised and recoded (formerly JICL)]
Future Cross Ref:
GBEB Staff Conduct
JIC Student Conduct
JII Student Concerns, Complaints and Grievances
JK Student Discipline
JKD Student Suspension
JKE Student Expulsion