526 - Hazing Policy

 

PACT Charter School

Original Creation Date: September 25, 1997
Last Approved By: PACT Charter School Board of Directors
Last Approved Date: July 11, 2023
Year Reviewed: 2023-2024


PURPOSE

This policy aims to maintain a positive and safe learning and working environment for students and staff free from hazing. Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational goals of PACT Charter School and are prohibited at all times.

 

POLICY STATEMENT

  1. No student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, visitor, contractor, or other school district employee shall plan, direct, encourage, aid, or engage in hazing.
  2. No student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, visitor, contractor, or other school district employee shall permit, condone or tolerate hazing.
  3. Apparent permission or consent by a person being hazed does not lessen the prohibition contained in this policy.
  4. This policy applies to behavior that occurs on or off school property and during and after school hours.
  5. A person who engages in an act that violates school policy or law to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization shall be subject to discipline for that act.
  6. The School District will act to investigate all complaints of hazing and will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, contractor, or other employees of the School District who is found to have violated this policy.

 

DEFINITIONS

  1. Hazing” means committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a substantial risk of harm to a person, for the student to be initiated into or affiliated with a student organization, or for any other purpose. The term “hazing” includes but is not limited to:
    1. Any physical brutality, such as striking, branding, electric shock, or placing a harmful substance on the body.
    2. Any physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, confinement in a restricted area, calisthenics, or activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or adversely affects the student's mental or physical health or safety.
    3. Any activity involving the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, drug, tobacco product, or other food, liquid, or substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the student's mental or physical health or safety.
    4. Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects a student to extreme mental stress, embarrassment, shame, or humiliation, adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student, or discourages the student from remaining in school.
    5. Any activity that causes or requires the student to perform a task involving a violation of State or Federal law, School District policy, or school regulation.

2.  Student Organization” means a group, club, or organization having students as its primary members or participants. It includes grade levels, classes, teams, activities, or school events. A student organization does not have to be an official school organization to come up with the terms of this definition.

 

REPORTING PROCEDURES

  1. Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of hazing, or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute hazing, shall report the alleged act(s) immediately to an appropriate School District official designated by this policy.
  2. An Executive Director is responsible for receiving reports of hazing at the building level.
  3. Teachers, administrators, volunteers, visitors, contractors, and other school employees of the School District shall be alert to possible situations, circumstances, or events, which might include hazing. Any person who receives a report of, observes, or has other knowledge or belief of conduct that may constitute hazing shall inform the administrative designee immediately.
  4. Submission of a good-faith verbal complaint or report of hazing will not affect the complainant or reporter’s future employment, grades, or work assignments.

 

SCHOOL DISTRICT ACTION

  1. Upon receiving a complaint or report of hazing, the School District shall undertake or authorize an investigation by the administration or a third party designated by the School Board of Directors.
  2. The administrative designee may take immediate steps, at his/her discretion, to protect the complainant, reporter, students, or others, pending the completion of an investigation of hazing.
  3. Upon completion of an investigation, the administrative designee and/or School Board will take appropriate action. Such action may include but is not limited to warning, suspension, exclusion, expulsion, transfer, remediation, termination, or discharge. Disciplinary consequences are intended to deter violations and to discipline prohibited behavior appropriately. School action taken for violation of this policy will be consistent with the requirements of the applicable statutory authority, including the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act and other School District policies and regulations.

 

REPRISAL

The School District will discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, volunteer, visitor, contractor, or school district employee who retaliates against any person who makes a good faith report of alleged hazing or against any person who testifies, assists, or participates in an investigation or a proceeding or hearing relating to such hazing. Retaliation includes but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment.

 

DISSEMINATION OF POLICY

This policy shall appear in PACT Family Handbook and Employee Handbook, shared annually with all PACT Charter School families and employees. It shall be published annually on the website and in a format accessible to this School District community.