Policy Considered on Student Sexual Harassment

Fullerton School District officials next week will consider a policy that would prohibit sexual harassment of students on any of its campuses.

The document being proposed states that the district will not tolerate sexual harassment of any student by any other student or employee. A policy prohibiting such behavior among employees is already in place, said Konnie Gault, the district’s pupil personnel coordinator.

The district is required to have a written board policy against sexual harassment, she said, even though none of the district’s schools have reported problems.

“The time has come to get this policy for students in place,” Gault said.

The policy being considered states that anyone who harasses students with unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature will be subject to disciplinary action.

It also would prohibit students from sending sexually explicit electronic mail and would encourage any student who might be harassed to report the incident to a school principal or counselor.

School board trustees said they expect to adopt the policy at their March 12 meeting, then send out information about it to all students, parents and employees.