Title IX

The U.S. Department of Education has published regulations for implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination in federally assisted education programs.

 

Title IX states, in part: “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.”

 

The Board ensures compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the regulations promulgated through the U.S. Department of Education.

 

All persons associated with the District, including, but not limited to, the Board, administration, staff, students, and third parties are expected to conduct themselves at all times so as to provide an atmosphere free from sex discrimination and sexual harassment. Sex discrimination and sexual harassment, whether verbal or nonverbal, occurring inside or outside of District buildings, on other District-owned property or at school-sponsored social functions/activities, is illegal and unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The District may have an obligation to investigate and/or respond to sexual harassment occurring off school grounds, when the harassment creates a hostile environment within the school setting. Sexual harassment is strictly prohibited by this policy.

 

The District takes measures to eliminate harassment, prevent its recurrence and remedy its effects, and will implement interim measures as deemed necessary.

 

Definition of Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature may constitute sexual harassment when: submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of a person’s employment or status in a class, educational program or activity; submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or education decisions affecting such individual or such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance by creating an intimidating, hostile or abusive environment, or by interfering with one’s ability to participate in or benefit from a class or educational program or activity.
 

Sexual violence is a form of sexual harassment and refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will, or where a person is incapable of giving consent. Examples of sexual violence include but are not limited to, rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse, and sexual coercion.

 

Sexual harassment includes gender-based harassment, which refers to unwelcome conduct based on an individual’s actual or perceived sex, (including harassment based on gender identity and nonconformity with sex stereotypes), and not necessarily involving conduct of a sexual nature.

 

Examples of sexual harassment-type conduct may include, but are not limited to, unwanted sexual advances; demands for sexual favors in exchange for favorable treatment or continued employment; grooming; repeated sexual jokes, flirtations, advances or propositions; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; graphic verbal commentary relating to an individual’s body, sexual prowess or sexual deficiencies; coerced sexual activities; any unwanted physical contact; sexually suggestive or obscene comments or gestures; or displays in the workplace of sexually suggestive or obscene objects or pictures. Whether any act or comment constitutes sexual harassment-type conduct is often dependent on the individual recipient.

 

All of these types of harassment are considered forms of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX.

 

The Board has developed informal and formal discrimination and harassment complaint procedures. The procedures provide for a prompt and equitable investigation and resolution of complaints of sex discrimination, including sexual misconduct. The Board also has identified disciplinary measures that may be imposed upon the offender. Nothing in this policy or procedure prevents an individual from pursuing action through State and/or Federal law, contacting law enforcement, or from filing a complaint with the United States Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

 

The Board designates the following individual to serve as the District’s Title IX Coordinator:

 

Michelle Garton

Assistant Superintendent

Address: 1731 Goodman Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45239                                       

Phone number: 513-931-8181 ext 14308                                                            

Email: [email protected]

 

The Title IX Coordinator serves as the grievance officer and coordinates the District’s efforts to comply with and carry out responsibilities under Title IX, including any complaint under Title IX. He/She is vested with the authority and responsibility for investigating all sexual harassment complaints in accordance with the procedures set forth in the accompanying regulation and staff and student handbooks. Any investigatory responsibilities of the Title IX Coordinator may be delegated to a designee trained in Title IX compliance and procedures.

 

Sexual harassment matters, including the identity of both the reporting party and the responding party, are kept confidential to the extent possible consistent with the Board’s legal obligations to investigate. Although discipline may be imposed against the responding party upon a finding of guilt, the District prohibits retaliation for an individual’s participation in, and/or initiation of a sex discrimination/sexual harassment complaint investigation, including instances where the complaint is not substantiated. The District takes reasonable steps to prevent retaliation and takes strong responsive action if retaliation occurs.

 

1. The Title IX Coordinator promptly communicates with the reporting party in order to obtain a clear understanding of that party’s statement of the alleged facts. The statement is put in writing by the Title IX Coordinator and signed by the reporting party, where possible, as a testament to the statement’s accuracy.
2. The Title IX Coordinator communicates with the responding party in order to obtain his/her response to the complaint. The response is put in writing by the Title IX Coordinator and signed by the responding party, where possible, as a testament to the statement’s accuracy.
3. The Title IX Coordinator communicates with the parties and witnesses (if any) as necessary to gather all of the relevant facts.  The dates of any meetings and the facts gathered are all put in writing. The investigation is prompt and equitable, and allows both parties an equal opportunity to present witnesses and other evidence.
4. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Title IX Coordinator prepares a written report summarizing: the evidence gathered during the investigation and whether the allegations were substantiated; whether any Board policies or student or employee codes of conduct were violated; any recommendations for corrective action. The investigation report indicates if any measures must be instituted to protect the reporting party. Such measures may include, but are not limited to extending any interim measures taken during the investigation. The report also informs the reporting party of available support services, which at a minimum includes offering school counseling services if the reporting party is a student.