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HCPSS / POLICIES

Policy 1060 – Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Intimidation

The purpose of this policy is to establish expectations for maintaining a safe and respectful school climate and workplace in the HCPSS where bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation on school property or at school-related activities, are not tolerated. This policy also provides standards for identifying and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, harassing, or intimidating behavior, as well as intervening and supporting students and employees who are exhibiting bullying, cyberbullying, harassing, or intimidating behavior or who are targets of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation. The policy also provides standards for the reporting and investigation of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation.

Policy Document

I. Policy Value Statement

All students have the right to be free from bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation. Bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation of any person on school property or at school-related activities is prohibited. The Board of Education is committed to providing a safe, engaging, productive, and supportive school and work environment that values diversity and commonality. The Board is also committed to fostering a climate where individuals are valued and their safety and rights are protected. The Board prohibits acts of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation because they compromise the learning environment and well-being of students, employees, and community.

Incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation should be reported to the appropriate Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) authority.

The Board recognizes that HCPSS employees must be knowledgeable regarding bullying and victimization in order to promote an environment where opportunities for bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation do not occur.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish expectations for maintaining a safe and respectful school climate and workplace in the HCPSS where bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation on school property or at school-related activities, are not tolerated. This policy also provides standards for identifying and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, harassing, or intimidating behavior, as well as intervening and supporting students and employees who are exhibiting bullying, cyberbullying, harassing, or intimidating behavior or who are targets of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation. The policy also provides standards for the reporting and investigation of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation.

III. Standards

  1. The HCPSS will work to ensure that the school and workplace environments are free from incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation.

  2. The display of symbols, images, language, materials, or items that demean an identifiable person or group or are reasonably perceived as promoting hatred, intimidation, or harassment, such as but not limited to swastikas and confederate flag symbols, are prohibited on school property or at school-related activities and are subject to the standards of this policy.

  3. The HCPSS will comply with the Maryland Safe Schools Reporting Act of 2005, as amended, which mandates the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to require all county boards of education to report incidents of bullying, harassment, or intimidation against students on public school property. HCPSS will adhere to the requirements set forth by Maryland’s Model Policy to Address Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation, and will utilize the MSDE Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form and the MSDE Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Investigation Form.

  4. All HCPSS schools and workplaces will follow established procedures for prevention, intervention, and providing supports as outlined in the implementation procedures.

  5. The prevention and intervention strategies of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation, will be presented to all students in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.

  6. Employees and service providers will receive annual professional development on the provisions of this policy. This professional development will include prevention education, designed to model and teach positive relationship building and appropriate interpersonal communication, as well as procedures for reporting bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation.

  7. Students, employees, and others engaging in bullying, cyberbullying, harassment or intimidation will be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action.

  8. Retaliation against anyone who has reported bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation is prohibited.

  9. An HCPSS employee who reports an act of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation under the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Section 7-424.1 in accordance with the county board’s policy is not civilly liable for any act or omission in reporting or failing to report an act of bullying, harassment, or intimidation under this policy.

  10. In an effort to maintain a positive school culture and workplace climate, consequences for violations of this policy will be administered according to applicable school system policies (Policy 7030 Employee Conduct and Discipline, Policy 9200 Student Discipline, the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct, and all applicable state and federal laws). Prior violations of this policy will be considered when determining consequences.

  11. Bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation data will be compiled, analyzed, and reported annually to MSDE.

IV. Responsibilities

  1. The HCPSS will provide annual professional development for employees and service providers on the substance of this policy. This professional development will provide prevention education, designed to model and teach positive relationship building and appropriate interpersonal communication as well as detail the process and responsibilities for bullying reporting.

  2. The Superintendent/designee will ensure that students, parents, employees, and service providers are notified of the provisions of this policy annually.

  3. The Superintendent/designee will ensure that this policy is highlighted in the school system’s student handbook and on the school system’s website.

  4. The Superintendent/designee will ensure appropriate action is taken in response to a violation of this policy.

  5. School administrators/supervisors will notify those under their supervision of the provisions of this policy.

  6. Students, parents, employees, and service providers will report alleged incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or intimidation.

  7. School administrators/supervisors will ensure compliance with the Maryland Safe Schools Reporting Act of 2005, as amended, requiring all county boards of education to report incidents of bullying, harassment, or intimidation against students in public schools and to provide access to a “Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment or Intimidation Reporting (BCHI) Form”.

  8. The Superintendent/designee and/or school administrators will ensure that all illegal behaviors are reported to the appropriate social service agencies, law enforcement agencies, and the MSDE.

  9. School administrators/supervisors will take immediate action to protect targeted students regardless of how the alleged bullying is reported.

  10. School administrators/supervisors will ensure that professional development regarding this policy occurs annually.

  11. School administrators/supervisors will implement systemwide/workplace procedures for prevention and intervention of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation.

  12. School administrators, supervisors, or the Director of Program Innovation and Student Well-Being/designee will provide appropriate assistance to students, parents, employees, and service providers who have been affected by behavior prohibited in this policy.

  13. The Department of Program Innovation and Student Well-Being will compile and report bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation data to the Board.

  14. All employees will comply with the expectations for safe school environments.

V. Delegation of Authority

The Superintendent is authorized to develop appropriate procedures for the implementation of this policy.

VI. Definitions

Within the context of this policy, the following definitions apply:

  1. Bullying – Unwanted, demeaning behavior among students or employees that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or is highly likely to be repeated, over time. To be considered bullying, the behavior must be intentional and include: 1) an imbalance of power (students who bully use their physical, emotional, social, or academic power to control, exclude, or harm others), and 2) repetition (bullying behaviors happen more than once or are highly likely to be repeated based on evidence gathered).

  2. Community – The society at large which includes, but is not limited to families, businesses, faith communities, government agencies, nonprofit service organizations, other organizations, and individuals.

  3. Cyberbullying – Bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through texting, apps, or online via social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or hurtful content about another person. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

  4. Electronic Communication – A communication transmitted by means of any electronic device, including but not limited to the use of social media sites, telephones, cellular phones, computers, or tablets.

  5. Employee – Any individual who is a permanent or temporary employee whose compensation is paid in whole or part by the Board and/or an individual who is a student teacher, an intern, consultant, or an independent contractor for the school system.

  6. Harassment – Includes actual or perceived negative actions that offend, ridicule, or demean another person with regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, family/parental or marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability, disability, or political opinion.

  7. Intimidation – Any communication or action directed against another person that threatens or induces a sense of fear and/or inferiority. Retaliation may be considered a form of intimidation.

  8. Parent – Any one of the following, recognized as the adult(s) legally responsible for the child or vulnerable adult:

    1. Biological Parent – A natural parent whose parental rights have not been terminated.

    2. Adoptive Parent – A parent who has legally adopted the student and whose parental rights have not been terminated.

    3. Custodian – A person or an agency appointed by the court as the legal custodian of the student and granted parental rights and responsibilities.

    4. Guardian – A person who has been placed by the court in charge of the affairs of the student and granted parental rights and responsibilities.

    5. Caregiver – An adult resident of Howard County who exercises care, custody or control over the student, but who is neither the biological parent nor legal guardian as long as the person satisfies the requirements of the Education Article §7-101(c) (Informal Kinship Care) or has been issued a U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Verification of Release form entering into a custodial arrangement with the federal government.

    6. Foster Parent – An adult approved to care for a child who has been placed in their home by a state agency or a licensed child placement agency as provided by the Family Law Article, §5-507.

  9. Retaliation – The act or process of threatening or otherwise penalizing a person for reporting an alleged violation of this policy or for participating in an investigation of an alleged violation.

  10. School Property – Any property owned or leased by the HCPSS or used by HCPSS for school-related activities. The concept of property extends to school activities such as field trips, use of parks and recreation facilities, proms at hotels, etc. School buses, bus stops, and facilities scheduled by the school system for student use are considered an extension of school property.

  11. School-Related Activity – Any school system activity, on or off school property, in which a student directly participates (e.g. school field trip, athletic event, or class/graduation activity), or an activity in which the student does not directly participate but represents the school or student body simply by being present (e.g. spectator at a school event).

  12. Service Providers – Individuals who provide services to the HCPSS, either through contract or volunteer service, when those services involve access to students, such as substitute teachers, mentors, chaperones, bus drivers, and individuals who participate in partnership programs.

VII. References

  • Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972

  • Annotated Code of Maryland, Criminal Law Article, §3-805 – Misuse of electronic communication or interactive computer service (“Grace’s Law”)

  • Annotated Code of Maryland, Education Article, §7-424 – Reporting incidents of harassment or intimidation against students

  • Annotated Code of Maryland, Education Article, §7-424.1 – Model policy prohibiting bullying, harassment and intimidation

  • COMAR 13A.01.04.03 – School Safety

  • COMAR 13A.08.01.15 – Reporting Delinquent Acts

C. Relevant Data Sources

  • Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation in Maryland Public Schools: A Report to the Maryland General Assembly, (March 31, 2015)

  • HCPSS Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation Reports to MSDE

  • HCPSS Suspensions for Bullying/Harassment trend data

  • Suspensions, Expulsions, and Health Related Exclusions Maryland Public Schools Annual report

D. Other

  • Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Form For Use by Employees and Third Parties

  • Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Investigation Form

  • Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form

  • HCPSS Student & Parent Handbook

  • HCPSS Student Code of Conduct

  • HCPSS Threat Management Procedures

  • Maryland’s Model Policy To Address Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation

  • Master Agreement Between the Board of Education and the Howard County Administrators Association

  • Master Agreement Between the Board of Education and the Howard County Education Association

  • SRO Memorandum of Understanding

VIII. History

ADOPTED: June 11, 2009

REVIEWED: December 21, 2015

MODIFIED:

  • June 12, 2014

  • August 14, 2014

  • October 8, 2020

  • March 10, 2022

REVISED: June 8, 2017

EFFECTIVE: March 10, 2022

Policy History Key

  • Adopted-Original date the Board took action to approve a policy
  • Reviewed-The date the status of a policy was assessed by the Superintendent’s Standing Policy Group
  • Modified-The date the Board took action to alter a policy that based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee did not require a comprehensive examination
  • Revised-The date the Board took action on a that policy based on the recommendation of the Superintendent/designee needed a comprehensive examination
  • Effective-The date a policy is implemented throughout the HCPSS, typically July 1 following Board action.