A re-affirmation of no harassment in District 56 schools, and the mechanism for reporting harassment, were part of the Board of Trustees’ Oct. 27 meeting.
The board meets monthly and a portion of most sessions is devoted to approving policies, some of which have been modified by state law or court rulings. The most recent policies considered - Harassment and Sexual Harassment, Staff Compensation, Evaluation of Instructional Staff, and Resignation of Professional Staff - had very few revisions. Policies normally take two readings to approve, although the board has the discretion to approve with a single reading.
“It is the policy of the board to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from harassment of any type,” the policy states.
Employees who file complaints against other employees or students will not be subject to retaliation.
The policy was adopted 11/22/04 and revised 4/27/15, and is backed up by 4 federal laws, 1 state law, and 2 federal cases.
The policy states that verbal harassment can include “innuendo” or “asking questions directly or indirectly about a person’s sex life.”
Visual harassment can include pictures, gestures, emails or other written communications or “any other behavior by an employee toward another employee that would reasonably cause the employee to feel uncomfortable or would reasonably give the appearance of impropriety or unprofessional conduct, regardless of whether the behavior is overtly sexual.”
The district can take action even if the action does not rise to the level of a crime.
Employees sign a statement that they have received this information, and this policy and administrative rule will be available on the district website, in each school, and at the district office. The policy outlines how school employees are mandatory reporters when abuse of a child is suspected.
The Staff Compensation policy outlines how teachers will be notified before May 1 of each year about their employment status; then, employees must give written acceptance of contracts before May 11 of each year. Policies outline professional staff assignments and transfers. These policies outline what a staff member does to reject a transfer, and what the district does in case of an involuntary transfer.
At the October meeting, the Board of Trustees also discussed the superintendent’s evaluation, heard a Clinton Elementary presentation, considered recognitions, received a financial statement and testing strategy, and moved the November meeting to Nov. 17, instead of Nov. 24. The next board meeting after that will be Jan. 26, 2026.
