Harassment Policy to undergo FINAL READING TONIGHT

West Bend School District’s controversial harassment policy could get final approval today.
(Yep, this is it.)

The School Board will hear the third reading of the policy and could take action on it. A majority vote either implements the policy or sends it back to committee.

Opponents cite the policy’s inclusion of “sexual orientation” in a list of protected classes and say the policy violates First Amendment rights and doesn’t include parent notification early enough in harassment investigations. Those in support say the policy protects all students and meets legal standards. Religious leaders, parents, students and community members have spoken on both sides of the issue.

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Monday’s meeting starts an hour later than normal – at 8 p.m., after a board work session – in the Education Service Center, 735 S. Main St.

The district’s latest proposed policy on harassment is nearly the same as the Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 9, which establishes procedures on complying with the state statute on harassment (118.13). The proposed policy reads: “Pupil harassment” means behavior towards pupils based, in whole or in part, on sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability which substantially interferes with a pupil’s school performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive school environment.

Attend tonight's meeting. Speak up. LAST CHANCE.