Download
The Board expects all staff members, including teachers, coaches, counselors,
administrators and others, to maintain the highest professional, moral and ethical
standards in their conduct with students. For the purposes of this policy, staff members
also include school volunteers.
The intent of this policy is to ensure that the interactions and relationships between staff
members and students are based upon mutual respect and trust; that staff members
understand the importance of maintaining appropriate professional boundaries between
adults and students in an educational setting; and that staff members conduct
themselves in a manner consistent with the educational mission of the schools. It is
understood that staff members may interact with and have friendships with students’
families outside school. This policy is not intended to prohibit such interactions and
friendships, provided that professional boundaries are maintained at all times. District
staff should be very careful when either hearing or discussing a student’s personal
information and should refer disclosures to the appropriate counselor and/or
administrator.
A. Prohibited Conduct
Examples of unacceptable conduct by staff members that are expressly prohibited but
are not limited to the following:
-
Any type of sexual or inappropriate physical contact with students or any other
conduct that might be considered harassment under the Board’s policy on
Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students;
-
Singling out a particular student or students for personal attention and friendship
beyond the normal teacher-student relationship;
-
Sexual banter, allusions, jokes or innuendos with students;
-
Asking a student to keep a secret;
-
Disclosing personal, sexual, family, employment concerns, or other private matters
to one or more students;
-
Addressing students with terms of endearment, pet names or otherwise in an
overly familiar manner;
-
Permitting students to address you by your first name, nickname or otherwise in an
overly familiar manner;
-
“Friending” students on social networking sites (outside of any school-approved
activity); and
- Communicating with students on non-school matters via computer, text message,
phone calls, letters, notes or any other means.
Before engaging in the following activities, staff members are expected to review the
school/District protocols with their building principal or supervisor, as appropriate.
-
Being alone with individual students out of public view;
-
Driving students home or to other locations;
-
Inviting or allowing students to visit the staff member’s home (unless the student’s
parent approves of the activity, such as when a student babysits or performs
chores for a staff member);
-
Visiting a student at home or in another location, unless on official school business
known to the parent;
-
Exchanging personal gifts (beyond the customary student-teacher gifts); and/or
-
Socializing or spending time with students (including but not limited to activities
such as going out for meals or movies, shopping, traveling, and recreational
activities) outside of school-sponsored events or organized community activities.
Staff members are expected to be sensitive to the appearance of impropriety in their
conduct with students. Staff members are encouraged to discuss issues with their
building administrator or supervisor whenever they are unsure whether particular
conduct may constitute a violation of this policy.
B. Reporting Violations
Students and/or their parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to notify the Principal
or other appropriate administrator if they believe a teacher or other staff member maybe
engaging in conduct that violates this policy.
Staff members are required to promptly notify the Principal or Superintendent if they
become aware of a situation that may constitute a violation of this policy.
C. Disciplinary Action
Staff violations of this policy shall result in disciplinary action up to and including
dismissal. Violations involving sexual or other abuse will also result in referral to the
Department of Health and Human Services, the District Attorney and/or law
enforcement.
D. Policy to be Included in Handbooks (or disseminated by other means)
This policy shall be included in all employee, student and volunteer handbooks.
Cross Reference: ACAA-Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students
JLF-Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
FIRST READING: January 14, 2010
SECOND READING: January 28, 2010
ADOPTION: January 28, 2010