Sexual conduct by district/school employees as defined by Oregon law will not be tolerated. All district employees are subject to this policy.
"Sexual conduct" as defined by Oregon law is any verbal or physical [or other] conduct by a school employee that is sexual in nature; directed toward a kindergarten through grade 12 student; unreasonably interferes with a student’s educational performance; and creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. The definition for sexual conduct does not include behavior that would be considered child abuse as outlined by Oregon law and district Board policy JHFE and JHFE-AR - Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse.
Any district/school employee who has reasonable cause to believe that another district/school employee or volunteer has engaged in sexual conduct with a student must immediately notify his/her immediate supervisor or the person identified by the district human resources director to receive such reports.
When the district receives a report of suspected sexual conduct by a district employee, the district may decide to place the employee on paid administrative leave or in a position that does not involve direct, unsupervised contact with students while conducting an investigation. An investigation is a detailed inquiry into the factual allegations of a report of suspected sexual conduct that is based on interviews with the complainant, witnesses and the district employee who is the subject of the report. The investigation must meet any negotiated standards of an employment contract or agreement.
If, following the investigation, the report is substantiated, the district will inform the employee that the report has been substantiated and provide information regarding the appeal process.
If the employee decides not to appeal the determination or if the determination is sustained after an appeal, a record of the substantiated report will be placed in the employee’s personnel file. The employee will be notified that this information may be disclosed to a potential employer.
The district will post in each school building the name and contact information of the person designated to receive sexual conduct reports, as well as the procedures the human resources director will follow upon receipt of a report. When the human resources director takes action on the report, the person who initiated the report must be notified.
The initiation of a report in good faith about suspected sexual conduct may not adversely affect any terms or conditions of employment or the work environment of the complainant. If a student initiates a report of suspected sexual conduct by a district employee in good faith, the student will not be disciplined by the Board or any district employee.
The district will provide annual training to district employees, parents and students regarding the prevention and identification of sexual conduct. The district will provide to employees at the time of hire a description of conduct that may constitute sexual conduct and a description of records subject to disclosure if a sexual conduct report is substantiated.
Educational providers shall follow hiring and reporting procedures as outlined in ORS 339.370 for all district employees.
END OF POLICY