104 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy

The North Tama County Community School District is committed to providing all students, employees, and volunteers with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect. Bullying and/or harassing behavior can seriously disrupt the ability of school employees to maintain a safe and civil environment, and the ability of students to learn and succeed.

Bullying and/or harassment of or by students, employees, and volunteers is against federal, state, and local policy and is not tolerated by the board.

Accordingly, school employees, volunteers, and students shall not engage in bullying or harassing behavior while on school property, while on school-owned or school-operated vehicles, while attending or participating in school- sponsored or sanctioned activities, and while away from school grounds if the conduct materially interferes with the orderly operation of the educational environment or is likely to do so.

Complaints may be filed with the superintendent or superintendent’s designee pursuant to the regulation accompanying this policy. The superintendent is responsible for implementation of this policy and all accompanying procedures. Complaints will be investigated within a reasonable time frame. Within 24 hours of receiving a report that a student may have been the victim of conduct that constitutes bullying and/or harassment, the district will notify the parent or guardian of the student.

If as a result of viewing surveillance system data or based on a report from a school district employee, the district determines that a student has suffered bullying or harassment by another student enrolled in the district, a parent or guardian of the student may enroll the student in another attendance center within the district that offers classes at the student’s grade level, subject to the requirements and limitations established in Iowa law related to this topic.

A school employee, volunteer, or student, or a student’s parent or guardian who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of bullying or harassment, in compliance with the procedures in the regulation, to the appropriate school official designated by the school district, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to participation in any administrative or judicial proceeding resulting from or relating to the report.

Individuals who knowingly file false bullying or harassment complaints and any person who gives false statements in an investigation may be subject to discipline by appropriate measures.

Retaliation Prohibited

Retaliation against any person because the person has filed a bullying or harassment complaint or assisted or participated in an investigation is prohibited.

Any student found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion. Any school employee found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment. Any school volunteer found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, removal from service and exclusion from school grounds.

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, the defined words shall have the following meaning:

“Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optic cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, and electronic text messaging. “Harassment” and “bullying” mean any repeated and targeted electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward an individual that creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:
- - Places the individual in reasonable fear of harm to the individual’s person or property.
  - Has a substantial detrimental effect on the individual’s physical or mental health.
  - Has the effect of substantially interfering with the individual’s academic or career performance. Has the effect of substantially interfering with the individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.
“Volunteer” means an individual who has regular, significant contact with students.

Publication of Policy

The board will annually publish this policy. The policy may be publicized by the following means:

Inclusion in the student handbook
Inclusion in the employee handbook
Inclusion in the registration materials
Inclusion on the school or school district’s web site

Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1221-1234i.
29 U.S.C. § 794.
   42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d-2000d-7.
      42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 2 et. seq.
      Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 279.82; 280.3; .28;
      281 I.A.C. 12.3(11).
      Morse v. Frederick, 551 U.S. 393 (2007)

I.C. Iowa Code                                      Description
Iowa Code § 216.9                                 Unfair/Discriminatory Practices
Iowa Code § 280.28                              Harassment and Bullying Prohibited
Iowa Code § 280.3                                Education Program - Attendance Center Requirements
Iowa Code § 279.82                              Intra-District Enrollment

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code Description
281 I.A.C. 12.3 Administration

U.S.C. - United States Code                   Description
20 U.S.C. §§ 1221                                 Education - FERPA - General Provisions
29 U.S.C. §§ 794                                   Labor - Vocation Rehab Rights
42 U.S.C. § 12101                                 Public Health - Equal Opportunity - Disabilities
42 U.S.C. § 2000d                                 Public Health - Civil Rights - Federally Programs

U.S. Supreme Court Description
551 U.S. 393 Morse v Frederick (2007)

Case Law Description
Morse v. Frederick 551 U.S. 393 (2007)

Cross References: 102 Equal Educational Opportunity
102-R(1) Equal Educational Opportunity - Grievance Procedure
102-E(1) Equal Educational Opportunity - Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination
102-E(2) Equal Educational Opportunity - Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination
102-E(3) Equal Educational Opportunity - Notice of Section 504 Student and Parental Rights
102-E(4) Equal Educational Opportunity - Discrimination Complaint Form
102-E(5) Equal Educational Opportunity - Witness Disclosure Form
102-E(6) Equal Educational Opportunity - Disposition of Complaint Form
401.01 Equal Employment Opportunity
402.03 Abuse of Students by School District Employees
404 Employee Conduct and Appearance
404-R(1) Employee Conduct and Appearance - Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics Regulation
404-R(2) Employee Conduct and Appearance - Code of Rights and Responsibilities Regulation
604.11 Appropriate Use of Online Learning Platforms
605.06 Internet - Appropriate Use
605.06-R(1) Internet - Appropriate Use - Regulation
605.06-E(1) Internet - Appropriate Use - Internet Access Permission Letter to Parents
605.06-E(2) Internet - Appropriate Use - Violation Notice
605.08 Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment
605.08-R(1) Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment - Regulation
713 Responsible Technology Use & Social Networking
713-R(1) Responsible Technology Use & Social Networking - Regulation

Approved: 9/18/2023, 11/18/2024, 9/15/2025
Reviewed: 8/15/2025
Revised: 8/15/2025

dawn.gibson.cm… Wed, 06/24/2026 - 19:33

104.E(1) - Complaint Form

Date of complaint: __________________________________________________________

Name of Complainant: __________________________________________________________

Are you filling out this form for __________________________________________________________

yourself or someone else (please

identify the individual if you are __________________________________________________________

submitting on behalf of someone else):

Who or what entity do you __________________________________________________________

believe discriminated against,

harassed, or bullied you (or someone else)? __________________________________________________________

Date and place of alleged __________________________________________________________

incident(s):

__________________________________________________________

Names of any witnesses (if any): __________________________________________________________

In the space below, please describe what happened and why you believe that you or someone else has been discriminated against, harassed, or bullied. Please be as specific as possible and attach additional pages if necessary.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________

I.C. Iowa Code                                      Description
Iowa Code § 216.9                                Unfair/Discriminatory Practices
Iowa Code § 280.28                              Harassment and Bullying Prohibited
Iowa Code § 280.3                                Education Program - Attendance Center Requirements

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code Description
281 I.A.C. 12.3 Administration

U.S.C. - United States Code                    Description
20 U.S.C. §§ 1221                                  Education - FERPA - General Provisions
29 U.S.C. §§ 794                                   Labor - Vocation Rehab Rights
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101                                Public Health - Equal Opportunity - Disabilities
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d                                Public Health - Civil Rights - Federally Programs

U.S. Supreme Court Description
551 U.S. 393 Morse v. Frederick (2007)

Case Law Description
Morse v. Frederick 551 U.S. 393 (2007)

Cross References: 102 Equal Educational Opportunity
102-R(1) Equal Education Opportunity - Grievance Procedure
102-E(1) Equal Education Opportunity - Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination
102-E(2) Equal Education Opportunity - Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination
102-E(3) Equal Education Opportunity - Notice of Section 504 Student and Parental Rights
102-E(4) Equal Education Opportunity - Discrimination Complaint Form
102-E(5) Equal Education Opportunity - Witness Disclosure Form
102-E(6) Equal Education Opportunity - Disposition of Complaint Form
401.01 Equal Employment Opportunity
402.03 Abuse of Students by School District Employees
404 Employee Conduct and Appearance
404-R(1) Employee Conduct and Appearance - Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics Regulation
404-R(2) Employee Conduct and Appearance - Code of Rights and Responsibilities Regulation
604.11 Appropriate Use of Online Learning Platforms
605.06 Internet - Appropriate Use
605.06-R(1) Internet - Appropriate Use - Regulation
605.06-E(1) Internet - Appropriate Use - Internet Access Permission Letter to Parents
605.06-E(2) Internet - Appropriate Use - Violation Notice
605.08 Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment
605.08-R(1) Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment - Regulation
713 Responsible Technology Use & Social Networking
713-R(1) Responsible Technology Use & Social Networking - Regulation

Approved: 9/17/2018, 9/18/2023, 11/18/2024, 9/15/2025
Reviewed: 8/15/2025
Revised: 8/15/2025

dawn.gibson.cm… Wed, 06/24/2026 - 20:18

104.E(2) - Witness Disclosure Form

Name of Witness: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Date of interview: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Date of initial complaint: _____________________________________________________________________________

Name of Complainant ______________________________________________________________________________

(include whether the

Complainant is a student _______________________________________________________________________

or employee):

Date and place of alleged ________________________________________________________________________

incident(s):

________________________________________________________________________

Description of incident(s) witnessed:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Additional information: ______________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________

I.C. Iowa Code                                    Description
Iowa Code § 216.9                                Unfair/Discriminatory Practices
Iowa Code § 280.28                              Harassment and Bullying Prohibited
Iowa Code § 280.3                                Education Program - Attendance Center Requirements
Iowa Code § 279.82                              Intra-District Enrollment

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code Description
281 I.A.C. 12.3 Administration

U.S.C. - United States Code                   Description
20 U.S.C. §§ 1221                                  Education - FERPA - General Provisions
29 U.S.C. §§ 794                                   Labor - Vocation Rehab Rights
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101                                Public Health - Equal Opportunity - Disabilities
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d                                Public Health - Civil Rights - Federally Programs

U.S. Supreme Court Description
551 U.S. 393 Morse v. Frederick (2007)

Case Law Description
Morse v. Frederick 551 U.S. 393 (2007)

Approved: 9/17/2025, 9/18/2023, 11/18/2024, 9/15/2025
Reviewed: 8/15/2025
Revised: 8/15/2025

dawn.gibson.cm… Wed, 06/24/2026 - 20:39

104.E(3) - Disposition of Complaint Form

Date of complaint: ________________________________________________________________

Date of initial Complainant: ________________________________________________________________

Name of Complainant ________________________________________________________________

(include whether the

Complainant is a student ________________________________________________________________

Or employee):

Date and place of alleged _________________________________________________________________

incident(s):

_________________________________________________________________

Name of Respondent _________________________________________________________________

(include whether the

Respondent is a student or ________________________________________________________________

employee):

_______________________________________________________________

Summary of Investigation __________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________

I.C. Iowa Code                                               Description
Iowa Code § 216.9                               Unfair/Discriminatory Practices
Iowa Code § 280.28                             Harassment and Bullying Prohibited
Iowa Code § 280.3                               Education Program - Attendance Center Requirements
Iowa Code § 279.82                              Intra-District Enrollment

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code Description
281 I.A.C. 12.3 Administration

U.S.C. - United States Code                 Description
20 U.S.C. §§ 1221                                Education - FERPA - General Provisions
29 U.S.C. §§ 794                                  Labor - Vocation Rehab Rights
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101                              Public Health - Equal Opportunity - Disabilities
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d                              Public Health - Civil Rights - Federally Programs

U.S. Supreme Court Description
551 U.S. 393 Morse v. Frederick (2007)

Case Law Description
Morse v. Frederick 551 U.S. 393 (2007)

Cross References:  102 Equal Educational Opportunity
   102-R(1) Equal Education Opportunity - Grievance Procedure
102-E(1) Equal Education Opportunity - Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination
102-E(2) Equal Education Opportunity - Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination
102-E(3) Equal Education Opportunity - Notice of Section 504 Student and Parental Rights
102-E(4) Equal Education Opportunity - Discrimination Complaint Form
102-E(5) Equal Education Opportunity - Witness Disclosure Form
102-E(6) Equal Education Opportunity - Disposition of Complaint Form
401.01 Equal Employment Opportunity
402.03 Abuse of Students by School District Employees
404 Employee Conduct and Appearance
404-R(1) Employee Conduct and Appearance - Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics Regulation
404-R(2) Employee Conduct and Appearance - Code of Rights and Responsibilities Regulation
604.11 Appropriate Use of Online Learning Platforms
605.06 Internet - Appropriate Use
605.06-R(1) Internet - Appropriate Use - Regulation
605.06-E(1) Internet - Appropriate Use - Internet Access Permission Letter to Parents
605.06-E(2) Internet - Appropriate Use - Violation Notice
605.08 Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment
605.08-R(1) Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment - Regulation
713 Responsible Technology Use & Social Networking
713-R(1) Responsible Technology Use & Social Networking - Regulation

Approved: 9/17/2018, 9/18/2023, 11/18/2024, 9/15/2025
Reviewed: 8/15/2025
Revised: 8/15/2025

dawn.gibson.cm… Wed, 06/24/2026 - 20:43

104.R(1) - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Investigation Procedures

Filing a Complaint

An individual who believes that the individual has been harassed or bullied may file a complaint with the superintendent or superintendent’s designee. The complaint form is available at https://ntredhawks.org/en-US/policies-07b1bea6. If the complainant is a school employee, after filing the complaint with the superintendent or superintendent’s designee, the employee may separately notify the parent or guardian of the student alleged to have been harassed or bullied.

An alternate investigator will be designated in the event it is claimed that the superintendent or superintendent’s designee committed the alleged bullying or harassment or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 180 days of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the Complainant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The Complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The Complainant shall receive assistance as needed.

Investigation

The school district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of bullying or harassment upon receipt of a written complaint. The superintendent or the superintendent’s designee (hereinafter “Investigator”) will be responsible for handling all complaints alleging bullying or harassment.

The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following:

Interviews with the Complainant and the individual named in the complaint (“Respondent”)
A request for the Complainant to provide a written statement regarding the nature of the complaint;
A request for the Respondent to provide a written statement;
Interviews with witnesses identified during the course of the investigation;
A request for witnesses identified during the course of the investigation to provide a written statement; and
Review and collection of documentation or information deemed relevant to the investigation.

The Investigator shall consider the totality of circumstances presented in determining whether conduct objectively constitutes bullying or harassment as defined in Board policy. Upon completion of the investigation, the Investigator shall issue a report with respect to the findings, and provide a copy of the report to the appropriate building principal or Superintendent if the investigation involved the building principal

The complaint and identity of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy. Similarly, evidence uncovered in the investigation shall be kept confidential to the extent reasonably possible.

Additional suggestions for administrative procedures regarding this policy include:

Organizing training programs for students, school employees, and volunteers regarding how to recognize bullying and harassing behavior and what to do if this behavior is witnessed; and
Developing a process for evaluating the effectiveness of this policy in reducing bullying and harassing behavior.

Decision

The investigator, building principal or superintendent, depending on the individuals involved, shall inform the Complainant and the accused about the outcome of the investigation. If, after an investigation, a student is found to be in violation of the policy, the student shall be disciplined by appropriate measures, which may include suspension and expulsion. If after an investigation a school employee is found to be in violation of this policy, the employee shall be disciplined by appropriate measures, which may include termination. If after an investigation a school volunteer is found to be in violation of this policy, the volunteer shall be subject to appropriate measures, which may include exclusion from school grounds.

Individuals who knowingly file false bullying and/or harassment complaints and any person who gives false statements in an investigation may be subject to discipline by appropriate measures, as shall any person who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy. Any student found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion. Any school employee found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment. Any school volunteer found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, exclusion from school grounds.

I.C. Iowa Code                                    Description
Iowa Code § 216.9                                Unfair/Discriminatory Practices
Iowa Code § 280.28                             Harassment and Bullying Prohibited
Iowa Code § 280.3                               Education Program - Attendance Center Requirements
Iowa Code § 279.82                             Intra-District Enrollment

I.A.C. Iowa ADministrative Code Description
281 I.A.C. 12.3 Administration

U.S.C. - United States Code                 Description
20 U.S.C. §§ 1221                               Education - FERPA - General Provisions
29 U.S.C. §§ 794                                 Labor - Vocation Rehab Rights
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101                             Public Health - Equal Opportunity - Disabilities
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d                             Public Health - Civil Rights - Federally Programs

U.S. Supreme Court Description
551 U.S. 393 Morse v. Frederick (2007)

Case Law Description
Morse v. Frederick 551 U.S. 393 (2007)

Approved: 9/18/2023, 11/18/2024, 9/15/2025
Reviewed: 8/15/2025
Revised: 8/15/2025

dawn.gibson.cm… Wed, 06/24/2026 - 19:39