Spearfish School District 40-2
5000 STUDENTS
Board Policy
Code: 5133/6248
BULLYING
Bullying is repeated and intentional harmful behavior initiated by one or more students and directed toward another student. Bullying exists when a student with more social and/or physical power deliberately dominates and harasses another who has less power. Bullying is unjustified, typically repeated, and differs from conflict. Two or more students can have a disagreement or a conflict, but bullying involves a power imbalance in which a bully targets a student who has difficulty defending him or herself.
1. Bullying will not be tolerated on school grounds or at any school activity on or off school grounds.
2. All district employees will be vigilant in preventing and reporting bullying. The district expects staff members who observe or become aware of an act of bullying to take immediate, appropriate steps to intervene, unless intervention would be a threat to the staff member’s safety. Any behavior that may be construed as bullying is to be reported to school administrators.
3. The school district expects and encourages students and parents who become aware of an act of bullying to report it to the school principal for further investigation.
4. Any student who retaliates against another for reporting bullying will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension/expulsion.
5. When an alleged bullying incident is reported, the principal or designee will conduct an investigation to determine the most appropriate response to the behavior, up to and including suspension or expulsion.
6. Accusations of bullying are serious. Falsely accusing someone of being a bully is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary action for the person making the false accusations as appropriate.
Approved January 11, 2010