ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, August 14, 1996 TAG: 9608140068
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
Students in Roanoke schools could be punished if they use racial epithets, intimidate other students with a swastika, or sexually harass schoolmates.
Superintendent Wayne Harris has proposed a policy that would ban student-to-student sexual, racial and religious harassment.
"Students should be able to go to school without being hassled by other students," Harris said. "They shouldn't have to deal with any kind of intimidation or harassment."
The policy, which the School Board gave initial approval Tuesday night, requires school principals to investigate all such complaints.
Penalties would vary, depending on the severity and frequency of the offense, Harris said.
Conferences with school officials might be required for minor violations. Students could be suspended or expelled for serious offenses, he said.
The Virginia School Boards Association has recommended that all schools enact similar policies. Harris said the school system's attorneys have advised the board to adopt the policy to "increase awareness of the presence of harassment in our society."
He said the prohibition on religious harassment would apply to students who make fun of other students because of head coverings or other clothing. It also would be a violation for students to criticize or belittle other students' religions, he said.
Students also could be disciplined if they engaged in racial teasing of other students.
The policy primarily addresses student-to-student behavior, but it would also cover school officials who harass students, Harris said. City schools already have a policy dealing with the harassment of school employees.
Under the policy, harassment includes both physical and verbal conduct.
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, sexually motivated conduct or communication, whether that person is of the same or opposite sex, that creates a hostile environment.
Racial and religious harassment are defined as physical or verbal conduct, dealing with a person's religion or race, that interferes with students' academic performance or participation in school activities.
Although students have reported only a few cases of harassment in recent years, Harris told the board that it would be prudent to adopt the policy.
Principals or staff members who fail to investigate complaints would be subject to disciplinary action. Investigations would be kept confidential.
The policy also prohibits retaliation for complaints that are filed in a good faith belief that sexual, racial or religious harassment may have occurred.
In other action, the board:
* Gave final approval to a revised policy that imposes strict controls on the dispensing of medications to students by school personnel. Parents must bring all prescription and nonprescription drugs to schools to be dispensed to students. Except in special cases where parents have given permission, students shall not administer either prescription or nonprescription drugs to themselves on school property.
* Received a request from Patrick Henry High band boosters for $5,500 to help pay for uniforms. The board agreed earlier to provide $6,000 for the uniforms, to be matched by an equal amount raised by band members and boosters.
* Awarded contracts totaling $250,908 for Apple computers for labs at Huff Lane MicroVillage Magnet School and computer automation projects at 23 schools.
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