The district shall provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to all outside youth groups, including the designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs shall be free from sexual harassment.

Conduct against any student that is based on one of the categories listed above that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive as to limit or deny the student’s ability to participate in our benefit from the district’s course offerings, educational programming or any activity will not be tolerated.  When a district employee knows, or reasonably should know, that such discriminator harassment is occurring or has occurred, the district will take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects.

The district’s nondiscrimination statement will be included in all written announcements, notices, recruitment materials, employment applications, and other publications made available to all students, parents/guardians, or employees.  The statement will include:

• Notice that the district will not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of any of the above-listed categories;
• The name and contact information of the district’s compliance officer designated to ensure compliance with this policy; and
• The names and contact information of the district’s Section 504 and Title IX compliance officers

The district will annually publish a notice that is reasonably calculated to inform students and parents/guardians, and employees of the district’s discrimination complaint procedure.  The district will, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, provide this notice in a language that each parent and guardian can understand.

The Superintendent will designate a staff member to serve as the compliance officer for this policy.  The compliance officer will be responsible for investigating any discrimination complaints communicated to the district.

The district will offer or provide training to administrators and certificated and classroom personnel on their responsibility to raise awareness of and to eliminate bias based on the categories identified in this policy.

Cross Reference:
Curriculum Development and Adoption of Instructional Materials - Policy 2020
Service Animals in Schools - Policy 2030
Guidance and Counseling - Policy 2140
Co-Curricular Program - Policy 2150
Interscholastic Activities - Policy 2151
Use of School Facilities - Policy 4620

Legal Reference:
Sexual Equality - Chapter 28A.640 RCW
Discrimination prohibition - Chapter 28A.642 RCW
Discrimination — Human rights commission - Chapter 49.60 RCW
Training—Staff responsibilities—Bias awareness - WAC 392-190-020
Compliance—School district designation of responsible employee—Notification - WAC 392-190-060
Student rights - WAC 392-400-215
Americans with Disabilities Act - RCW 42 U.S.C 12101-12213

Management Resources:
Policy News, August 2007
Policy News, June 2011
Policy News, December 2012
Policy News, April 2013
Policy News, December 2014

Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board: August 1985
Revised by the Board: 05.93, 07.09, 5.13,9.15
Classification: Essential