Title IX Reporting and Complaints

What is Title IX?

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, among other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that:

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

What is Title IX Related Sexual Harassment?                                                

Harassment of students and school employees because of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, ancestry or national origin, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, religion, or genetic information are prohibited. Such conduct is a violation of Board policy and may constitute illegal discrimination under state and federal laws.

Any employee or student who engages in harassment or sexual harassment shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge or expulsion.

A. Harassment

Harassment includes, but is not limited to, verbal abuse, threats, physical assault and/or battery based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, genetic information or disability.

B. Sexual Harassment

1. 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:

1. “Quid pro quo” sexual harassment by a school employee or student: Conditioning a school aid, benefit or service (such as a promotion or favorable evaluation, better grades, or college recommendation) on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;

2. “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

3. Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking as these terms are defined in federal laws.

2. Sexual Harassment under Title VII and New Hampshire Law

Under another federal law, Title VII, and under New Hampshire law/regulations, sexual harassment is defined differently. The New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights law states that “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment;

2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual; or

3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.”

C. Reports and Complaints of Harassment or Sexual Harassment

Any employee or student who believes they have been harassed or sexually harassed is encouraged to make a report to the District’s Title IX Coordinator. 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 regarding harassment or sexual harassment of students shall be addressed through the Employee & Third-Party Unlawful Discrimination/Harassment and Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures (Policy ACAA-R).

All reports and complaints regarding harassment or sexual harassment of employees shall be addressed through the Employee & Third-Party Unlawful Discrimination/Harassment and Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures (Policy ACAB-R)

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity - Policy AC 

Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students - Policy ACAA

Student Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Procedure - Policy ACAA-R

Harassment and Sexual Harassment of School Employees - Policy ACAB

Employee Discrimination/Harassment and Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures