 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Schools expand written rules on harassment
By ROBERT KING, Times Staff Writer BROOKSVILLE -- Students who are being harassed by other students in Hernando County schools will have twice as long to file a complaint next year under a new policy tentatively approved by the School Board. Students will have 60 days, instead of 30, to make complaints in harassment cases, the board decided Tuesday night. First offenses are punishable by up to 10 days expulsion or a recommendation for expulsion. Expulsion is mandatory for second offenses. Cases also can be referred to law enforcement. Harassment based on sex, race, national origin, disability or religion was already prohibited under the rules of conduct listed in the district's Student-Parent Handbook. But now that same language about general harassment is being added to the School Board's policy book, which previously mentioned a prohibition only for sexual harassment. The changes were made in order to comply with a request by the Department of Education, which updates its equity rules each year. The School Board's vote was unanimous. A final vote, and a public hearing, must still be conducted before the policy can be enacted. It would take effect in August. School Board attorney Karen Gaffney described the changes as "minor." But School Board member Gail David called them "significant" and urged that the rules about a ban on all forms of harassment be made clear to students during the first week of the school year. Board member Jim Malcolm agreed. "Things of such dire impact must be highlighted," Malcolm said. Superintendent Wendy Tellone said she would talk to principals about how that could be accomplished. -- Robert King covers education in Hernando County and can be reached at 754-6127. Send e-mail to rking@sptimes.com.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From today's Hernando Times County can't support arts center |
