Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures

 The Shrewsbury School Committee has formulated Policy 316, which defines sexual harassment, establishes appropriate standards of conduct and sets guidelines for recognizing and dealing with sexual harassment. The text below is from policy 316; a complete copy of the policy is available in the main office of each school or at the Superintendent's Office at 100 Maple Avenue. 

     The Shrewsbury Public Schools strive to meet the intellectual, emotional, cultural, physical and social needs of the entire school community. Students are encouraged to develop to their maximum potential and acquire the skills necessary to become mature, responsible and productive citizens. Faculty and staff members work in a professional environment to help students fulfill these goals. Sexual harassment is an unlawful and destructive behavior that interferes with education and teaching and therefore will not be tolerated. The Shrewsbury Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in employment. 

     The term "sexual harassment" means any sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature when submission to or rejection of such advances is made a term or condition of benefits, privileges, or the basis of academic achievement; or such requests or advances create an intimidating, hostile, humiliating or sexually offensive educational environment.

• Sexual harassment includes verbal and physical behavior related to gender or sexual preference that creates an intimidating or controlling environment.
• Sexual harassment may include but is not limited to: unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors inappropriate touching or verbal comments inappropriate written messages of a sexual nature or intimidation based on gender or sexual preference leering or voyeurism displaying sexually suggestive pictures or objects in school.
• No form of sexual harassment will be tolerated by Shrewsbury Public Schools. Anyone found to have committed any form of sexual harassment would be disciplined.
• Retaliation against any individual for reporting sexual harassment is unlawful and will not be tolerated.
• Students should report the incident to a teacher, school guidance personnel, SRO or school administration. The school will inform parents and a meeting will take place.  
• Individuals may also report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Further information may be obtained by contacting Ms. Barbara Malone, Executive Director of Human Resources at (508) 841-8400  

Reporting Sexual Harassment

     Every report of sexual harassment will be taken seriously and investigated in a timely manner. Investigations will be conducted in confidence in such a way as to maintain confidentiality in the extent practicable under the circumstances.

     To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or to make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to the Shrewsbury Harassment Policy section of this document.

     Whenever possible and/or if appropriate, any individual who believes that he/she has been harassed, should meet the harasser personally in order to resolve the issue on an informal basis. Students will be assisted and supported in this process by an adult in the school. 

      If the individual reporting the harassment does not want to meet directly with the harasser they must report the incident to the building administrator, the guidance/ adjustment counselor or the school psychologist. All cases of sexual harassment must be reported to the building principal. The Shrewsbury Public School district supports the right of parents and guardians to act on behalf of their Elementary and secondary (minor) children, including when seeking assistance under Title IX and participating in related grievance procedures.

Federal regulations prohibit schools from disclosing personally identifiable information they obtain through complying with the law, with limited exceptions, such as when they have prior written consent or when the information is disclosed to the parent of a minor child.

If a complaint is filed, the Title IX coordinator will provide copies of all relevant policies and procedures to all parties, including parents, guardians and other caregivers to ensure a thorough understanding of the district’s process. The parties are entitled to an equal opportunity to access relevant and not otherwise impermissible evidence or an accurate description of the evidence. 

State and Federal Remedies

Grievance procedures for addressing harassment or discrimination are outlined in detail in the Shrewsbury Harassment Policy section of this document. In addition to the above, students and staff may file a formal complaint with either or both of the government agencies set forth below. Using our complaint process does not prohibit students or staff from filing a complaint with these agencies. Each of the agencies has a short time period for filing a claim (EEOC - 300 days; MCAD - 300 days).

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC")

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination ("MCAD")