Our mission is to ensure complicance with the School Board's policy to maintain an educational and work environment that is free from all forms of unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment. This commitment applies to all District operations, programs, and activities. All students, administrators, teachers, staff, and all other school personnel share responsibility for avoiding, discouraging, and reporting any form of unlawful harassment. This policy applies to unlawful conduct occurring on school property, or at another location if such conduct occurs during an activity sponsored by the Board.
- Provide technical assistance to Pasco County Schools personnel focused on compliance with equity related federal and state laws, local statutes and regulations;
- Investigate complaints and/or charges of discrimination and harassment
- Respond to charges of discrimination/harassment made against the District by individuals who file with a federal or state enforcement agency such as the Office for Civil Rights and the Equal Opportunity Commission, or Department of Justice
- Provide training to School Board Employees as required by state and federal law
Pasco County Schools Equity Policies and Equity Complaint Procedures Links
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Administrative Equity Policies and Equity Complaint Process
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Instructional Equity Policies and Equity Complaint Process
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Non- Instructional Equity Policies and Equity Complaint Process
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Student Equity Policies and Equity Complaint Process
Sex discrimination is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Pasco County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), in its education programs or activities, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and its implementing regulations, not to discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in its education program or activity extends to admission and employment. Pasco County Schools is committed to maintaining an education and work environment that is free from discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment.
Pasco County Schools prohibits Sexual Harassment that occurs within its education programs and activities. When the District has actual knowledge of Sexual Harassment in its education program or activity against a person in the United States, it shall promptly respond in a manner that is not deliberately indifferent.
Pursuant to its Title IX obligations, Pasco County Schools is committed to eliminating Sexual Harassment and will take appropriate action when an individual is determined responsible for violating this policy. Board employees, students, third-party vendors and contractors, guests, and other members of the District community who commit Sexual Harassment are subject to the full range of disciplinary sanctions set forth in this policy. Pasco County Schools will provide persons who have experienced Sexual Harassment ongoing remedies as reasonably necessary to restore or preserve access to the District’s education programs and activities.
Pasco Board Board Policy 2266 explains how to file a Title IX complaint.
BULLYING:
The incident is bullying if the incident includes systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; or unreasonably interfere with the individual’s school performance or participation.
HARASSMENT:
Any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal, or physical conduct that 1) places a student or school employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property, 2) has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits, or 3) has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school including any course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes substantial emotional distress in such in such a person and serves no legitimate purpose.
SEXUAL ASSAULT:
An incident that includes a threat of rape, fondling, indecent liberties, child molestation, or sodomy. The threat must include all of the following elements: 1) intent, 2) fear, and 3) capability.
SEXUAL BATTERY:
Forced or attempted oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by using a sexual organ or an object simulating a sexual organ, or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any body part or object.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT:
Unwanted verbal or physical behavior with sexual connotations by an adult or student that is severe and pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment which causes discomfort or humiliation and unreasonably interferes with the individual’s school performance or participation.
Pasco County schools is highly committed to the health and safety of its students. To support our students at all levels, the district utilizes Safer, Smarter Schools curriculum in grades K-12 to develop an understanding of sexual harassment issues at an age-appropriate level. For an overview of the K-12 program CLICK HERE. For more specific information each level, the links are provided below.
Sex discrimination is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Pasco County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), in its education programs or activities, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and its implementing regulations, not to discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in its education program or activity extends to admission and employment. Pasco County Schools is committed to maintaining an education and work environment that is free from discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment.
Pasco County Schools prohibits Sexual Harassment that occurs within its education programs and activities. When the District has actual knowledge of Sexual Harassment in its education program or activity against a person in the United States, it shall promptly respond in a manner that is not deliberately indifferent.
Pursuant to its Title IX obligations, Pasco County Schools is committed to eliminating Sexual Harassment and will take appropriate action when an individual is determined responsible for violating this policy. Board employees, students, third-party vendors and contractors, guests, and other members of the District community who commit Sexual Harassment are subject to the full range of disciplinary sanctions set forth in this policy. Pasco County Schools will provide persons who have experienced Sexual Harassment ongoing remedies as reasonably necessary to restore or preserve access to the District’s education programs and activities.
Pasco Board Board Policy 2266 explains how to file a Title IX complaint.
BULLYING:
The incident is bullying if the incident includes systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; or unreasonably interfere with the individual’s school performance or participation.
HARASSMENT:
Any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal, or physical conduct that 1) places a student or school employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property, 2) has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits, or 3) has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school including any course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes substantial emotional distress in such in such a person and serves no legitimate purpose.
SEXUAL ASSAULT:
An incident that includes a threat of rape, fondling, indecent liberties, child molestation, or sodomy. The threat must include all of the following elements: 1) intent, 2) fear, and 3) capability.
SEXUAL BATTERY:
Forced or attempted oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by using a sexual organ or an object simulating a sexual organ, or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any body part or object.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT:
Unwanted verbal or physical behavior with sexual connotations by an adult or student that is severe and pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment which causes discomfort or humiliation and unreasonably interferes with the individual’s school performance or participation.
Pasco County schools is highly committed to the health and safety of its students. To support our students at all levels, the district utilizes Safer, Smarter Schools curriculum in grades K-12 to develop an understanding of sexual harassment issues at an age-appropriate level. For an overview of the K-12 program CLICK HERE. For more specific information each level, the links are provided below.
Title IX Coordinator
For questions or to report sexual harassment, please contact the Title IX Coordinator:
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