Safe School, Bullying & Abusive Conduct Policy

ROOTS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL BULLYING, CYBERBULLYING, HARASSMENT, HAZING, RETALIATION, AND ABUSIVE CONDUCT POLICY

I. PURPOSE

Roots Charter High School is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students and employees, free from bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, hazing, retaliation, and abusive conduct. These behaviors are prohibited under federal, state, and local law and are not tolerated at any Roots Charter High School location, event, or activity.

This policy aligns with Utah Code 53G-9-605 through 53G-9-607 and the Utah State Board of Education Rule R277-613. Our goals are to prevent harm, respond appropriately to incidents, support those affected, and hold perpetrators accountable.

II. DEFINITIONS

Roots Charter High School adopts the definitions as outlined in Utah Code 53G-9-601 and Rule R277-613:

• Bullying: Intentional written, verbal, or physical conduct by a student or employee that a reasonable person should know will cause physical or emotional harm, damage property, create fear, or substantially interfere with a student's education. Bullying may include a power imbalance and often occurs repeatedly.
• Cyberbullying: Use of electronic communication to cause harm, embarrassment, or threat to a student or employee, regardless of consent or voluntary access.
• Hazing: Acts committed for initiation, affiliation, or membership in a school group that endanger physical health, involve forced consumption, or restrict freedom of movement.
• Harassment: Repeated and demeaning communication that contributes to a hostile environment, including rumor-spreading and social aggression.
• Abusive Conduct: Intentionally malicious behavior by an adult that a reasonable person would find hostile, offensive, or unrelated to job performance.
• Retaliation: Any act or communication intended as retribution for reporting or investigating bullying or hazing.
• Civil Rights Violation: Any of the above behaviors targeting a federally protected class (race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation).
• Volunteer: Any non-employee individual approved by the school to work with students under staff supervision.

III. PROHIBITIONS

No student, employee, or volunteer may:

1. Engage in bullying, harassment, cyberbullying, hazing, retaliation, or abusive conduct on school property, during school activities, or while traveling to or from school.
2. Engage in cyberbullying or hazing at any time or location.
3. Retaliate against anyone involved in reporting or investigating a prohibited incident.
4. Make a false report of any prohibited conduct.

IV. INVESTIGATION AND RESPONSE PROCEDURES

1. Reporting: Any student, employee, or parent may report an incident verbally or in writing. Anonymous reports will be accepted and investigated.
2. Investigation: Designated trained staff will conduct a timely, thorough, and confidential investigation. This may include interviews with the victim, perpetrator, parents, witnesses, and school staff; review of relevant evidence; and documentation of findings.
3. Verification: An incident is considered verified when evidence supports the claim.
4. Action Plans: When an incident is verified, a personalized action plan will be created for both the student subjected to the incident and the student who caused it, including:
   • Tailored supportive measures
   • Communication to and from parents
   • Safety planning
   • Discipline or restorative practices
   • Follow-up documentation and support

No action plan will require the victim to change class placement, schedule, or participation in activities.

V. DISCIPLINARY ACTION

• Students: Consequences may include restorative practices, suspension, loss of privileges, or expulsion. Emergency removal may occur if student safety is at risk.
• Employees: Consequences may include disciplinary action up to and including termination.
• Volunteers: May be restricted or prohibited from school access.

VI. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Roots Charter High School will provide:

1. Annual training for new employees, volunteers, and students.
2. Training at least once every three years for all employees, volunteers, and participants in athletic or extracurricular activities.
3. Training will include:
   • Legal definitions and distinctions
   • Civil rights protections
   • Suicide prevention integration
   • Restorative justice and trauma-informed care practices

VII. PARENTAL NOTIFICATION AND INVOLVEMENT

Parents of involved students will be informed:

• When an incident occurs
• Of safety measures
• Of investigation outcomes
• Of appeal options
• Of available resources

Annual signed acknowledgment of this policy will be required from parents and students.

VIII. ANNUAL REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE

Roots Charter High School will submit an annual report to the Utah State Board of Education, including:

• Verified incidents
• Training records
• Signed statement verification
• Civil rights-based data

IX. GRIEVANCE PROCESS

A formal grievance process will be available for any student, parent, or employee who disagrees with the findings or actions taken in response to an incident, including those experiencing abusive conduct.

X. REVIEW AND POSTING

This policy will be reviewed annually with input from stakeholders and posted publicly on the school website. Updates will reflect changes in law and best practices.

For questions or to report incidents, please contact:

• Title IX Coordinator: Tyler Bastian tyler@rootshigh.org
• Bullying/Harassment Coordinator: tyler@rootshigh.org
• Principal: Tyler Bastian tyler@rootshigh.org