Refining the sex harassment policy

A major topic Monday night for Oconee school trustees will be sexual harassment and retaliation.  For discussion and, in some instances, action on revisions and additions to the district policy forbidding sexual harassment and retaliation.  Steve Hanvey, associate superintendent, will present several rule changes for the board to consider.  In this report, we focus one in particular.  The policy titled “Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct of a Sexual Nature” would be changed to “Sexual Harassment and Retaliation.”  New language to be proposed includes:  “…the district will not tolerate harassment of district staff in the course of their employment by any person, including, but not limited to, any supervisor, coworker, vendor, visitor, student, or other staff member of the district based on the staff member’s sex (including) gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy, childbirth, or any related medical conditions).  Further, the district will not tolerate retaliation against a person who has made a report or filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment or who has participated as a witness in a sexual harassment investigation.”