POLICY 133

Sexual Harassment Policy

(Alliance School Board Sexual Harassment Model Policy

LHCS Statement of Purpose

"We believe it is our responsibility as Christians to raise children in the light of God's Word. The education of children must be Christ-centered, equipping them to become responsive disciples of Christ who seek the will of the Lord in all aspects of life."

LHCS Mission Statement

"For the children of Christian parents, Laurentian Hills Christian School provides Christ-centered quality education to the whole child in a supportive, loving, diverse, dynamic and growing parent run school."

LHCS Vision Statement

"Kitchener-Waterloo Christian School Society advances dynamic, excellent Christ-centered education through unconstrained facilities, exceptional programs, and extensive resources that cultivate responsive disciples of Christ."

General Statement

The Laurentian Hills Christian School Board recognizes the dignity and worth of every person as being created in the image of God and wishes to provide a work place and a learning environment free of sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment includes making unwelcome advances and improper sexual comments, or when such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment. All employees of this school are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the objective of this policy.

This school board will not accept, condone or tolerate sexual harassment. Anyone who is found to have committed sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action.

Complaints or reporting of incidents believed to be contrary to this policy should be made to either the principal or the OACS Sexual Harassment Advisor.

This school is committed to resolving any reported complaint or incident through a process of reconciliation that maximizes the potential for healing, restoration and, hopefully, continuation of the working relationship, while at the same time upholding the policy.

Procedure for Handling Sexual Harassment Complaints—Teachers

Any complaints should be outlined either verbally or in writing to either the principal or the OACS Sexual Harassment Advisor. The recipient of a verbal complaint shall reduce it to writing to the satisfaction of the complainant.

　

If the principal receives the sexual harassment complaint, the principal should confer with the OACS Sexual Harassment Advisor before further action is taken. If the principal is the subject of the complaint, the complainant shall refer the matter to the chairperson of the Education Committee/Resource Committee.

The OACS Sexual Harassment Advisor will contact, as soon as possible, both the complainant and the alleged perpetrator and seek their agreement to meet together to resolve the dispute. The advisor will then meet with each party separately and discuss the relevant circumstance surrounding the matter and appoint a time for a joint meeting. This meeting should take place as quickly as possible after the initial contact with the parties. At the meeting the advisor and the parties will discuss the nature of the complaint, the circumstances surrounding the complaint and explore avenues of reconciliation and/or delineate further recommendations effecting a fair and just resolution to all involved. Should the alleged perpetrator refuse to meet with the advisor and subsequently with the complainant the advisor will apprise the alleged perpetrator of possible consequences flowing front such a refusal.

Where the advisor deems it appropriate, he/she may prepare and submit a report for the school board with copies to both parties. Where the complaint is serious and of merit, the advisor will submit such a report to the school board. The report should include a summary of the discussions to date and any recommendations as to the appropriate action to be taken.

Upon receiving a report from the advisor, the school board may investigate the complaint. The individual investigating the complaint on behalf of the board shall advise the complainant and the alleged perpetrator that an investigation has begun.

Following completion of the investigation, the individual who conducted the investigation shall report the findings to the school board and shall recommend the appropriate action to be taken. The school board shall decide on the appropriate action to be taken, if applicable, and shall ensure that it is carried out.

If initiatives of the OACS Sexual Harassment Advisor or the Board fail to resolve the issues to the satisfaction of both parties, either party in the dispute or the school board may then pursue resolution of the dispute through the OACS/OCSAA/OCSTA Mediation Commission in accordance with its procedures. In such a case the advisor shall submit a written summation of his or her findings and recommendations to the Mediation Commission.

Confidentiality of the identity of all parties and the circumstances relating to the complaint shall be maintained by all persons involved except when disclosure is necessary for investigating the complaint or taking appropriate remedial measures.

Adopted September, 1999

Reviewed annually