Policy - ACAD

POLICY: ACAD

EFFECTIVE DATE: 3-6-24

CANCELS SHEET DATED: 12-16-15, 2-4-16

REVIEWED BY POLICY COMMITTEE: 1-17-24

HAZING

Maine law defines injurious hazing as “any action or situation, including harassing behavior, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any school personnel or a student enrolled in a public school.”

Injurious hazing activities of any type, either on or off RSU #74 property, by any student, staff member, group or organization affiliated with RSU #74, are inconsistent with the educational process and shall be prohibited at all times.

“Harassing behavior” includes acts of intimidation and any other conduct that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of an RSU #74 student or staff member.

“Acts of intimidation” include extortion, menacing, direct or indirect threats of violence, incidents of violence, bullying, statements or taunting of a malicious and/or derogatory nature that recklessly or intentionally endanger the mental or physical health of another person, and property damage or theft.

No administrator, faculty member, or other employee of RSU #74 shall encourage, permit, condone, or tolerate injurious hazing activities.  No student, including leaders of student organizations, shall plan, encourage, or engage in injurious hazing activities.

Students who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action which includes suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate measures.  Administrators, professional staff, and all other employees who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

In the case of an organization affiliated with RSU #74 that authorizes hazing, penalties may include rescission of permission for that organization to operate on RSU #74 property or to receive any other benefit of affiliation with RSU #74.

Persons not associated with RSU #74 who fail to abide by this policy are subject to removal from RSU #74 property and/or other measures as may be available under the law.

These penalties are in addition to any civil or criminal penalties to which the violator or organization may be subject.

The superintendent is responsible for administering this policy.  In the event that an individual or organization disagrees with an action—or lack of action—on the part of the Superintendent as he/she carries out the provisions of this policy, that individual or organization may appeal to the RSU #74 Board.  The ruling of the RSU #74 Board with respect to the provisions of this policy is final.

This right to appeal does not apply to student suspensions of ten (10) days or less or to matters submitted to grievance procedures under applicable collective bargaining agreements.

A copy of this policy is included in all RSU #74’s student and employee handbooks or otherwise distributed to all RSU #74 employees and students.

Legal Reference:  20-A MRSA § 6553

Cross Reference:  ACAA - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students

                                 ACAB - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Employees

                                 JICIA - Weapons, Violence and School Safety