Anti-Bullying / Harassment
A safe and supportive environment for all
The North Mahaska Community School District is dedicated to providing a safe environment for students. Concerns about bullying or harassment are taken seriously and will be dealt with in a timely manner. It is vital that parents and students work together with school staff to help resolve these concerns.
The following information is intended to help students and parents understand:
- What is the board policy for bullying and harassment?
- What is the Iowa law regarding bullying and harassment in schools?
- What are the options for reporting and getting help?
For more detailed identification information as well as a description of the process used for investigations and decision-making, please see the information below.
Iowa Anti-Bullying Legislation
Iowa Code 280.28 defines bullying and harassment as the following:
“Harassment” and “bullying” mean any repeated and targeted electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward an individual which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:
(1) Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.
(2) Has a substantial detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.
(3) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance.
(4) Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.
Anti-Bullying / Harassment Board Policies:
BP104: Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Policy
BP104.R1: Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Investigation Procedures
Department of Education Resources:
Informal Complaint
Parents and students: If you have concerns that you (student) or your child (parent) is engaged in social conflict with another student and it does not rise to the level of bullying and harassment as per the definition above , please contact a teacher, counselor, student advocate, or administrator in your child’s building. Additionally, you may choose to complete the online informal complaint form. Any complaints completed on the online site will be routed to building principals and counselors to determine how to address them.
Formal Complaint
Parents and students: If you feel that bullying and harassment is occurring as defined in the section above, please complete the formal complaint form in writing and take directly to your school building’s administrator or to the district office located at 2163 135th Street, New Sharon, Iowa 50207