Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • September 14, 2011 Anti-bullying (continued from page 4) environment for the pupil by interfering with a pupil’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the pupil. Electronic communication is defined in the policy as a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, cellular phone, computer, or pager. According to the policy, the school board expects pupils to conduct themselves in keeping with their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated capabilities with proper regard for the rights and welfare of other pupils and school staff, the educational purpose underlying all school activities, and the care of school facilities and equipment consistent with the school district’s Code of Pupil Conduct. “The board believes that standards for pupil behavior must be set cooperatively through interaction among the pupils, parents, school employees, school administrators, school volunteers, and community representatives,” the policy states, “producing an atmosphere that encourages pupils to grow in self-discipline.” The policy also states that the district prohibits active or passive support for acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Pupils are encouraged to support other pupils who either walk away from acts of harassment, intimidation, and bullying when they see them, or constructively attempt to stop acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Students are also encouraged to provide support to pupils who have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, or bullying, and to report acts of harassment, intimidation, and bullying to the designated school staff member. School administrators are required by the policy to implement procedures that ensure both the appropriate consequences and remedial responses for pupils who commit one or more acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, consistent with the district’s code of pupil conduct, and implement the consequences and remedial responses for staff members who commit one or more acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a pupil or staff member may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion of pupils, as set forth in the board’s code of pupil conduct. The district will also impose appropriate consequences and remedial actions on any person who commits an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying of a pupil. The consequences may include, but not be limited to, verbal or written reprimand, increment withholding, legal action, disciplinary action, termination, and/or bans from providing services, participating in school district-sponsored programs, or being in school buildings or on school grounds. Those remedial measures may include, but not be limited to, in or out-of-school counseling, professional development programs, and work environment modifications. The policy and the code of pupil conduct also applies to instances when a school employee is made aware of alleged harassment, intimidation, or bullying occurring off school grounds. The policy also requires the superintendent to appoint a district anti-bullying coordinator who will be responsible for coordinating and strengthening the district’s policies to prevent and address harassment, intimidation, or bullying of pupils. The principal in each school must appoint a school anti-bullying specialist who will chair the school’s safety team and lead the investigation of incidents of harassment, intimidation, or bullying in the school. The policy also provides for consequences for a school employee or a contracted service provider who has contact with pupils and who engages in reprisal or retaliation. Those consequences include a reprimand, the withholding of an increment, legal and/or disciplinary action, termination, and/or a ban from providing services, participating in school sponsored programs or from being in school buildings or on school grounds. Consequences for a board member who engages in reprisals or retaliation include legal action or other action authorized by statute or administrative code. The updated policy was scheduled for adoption on Sept. 12. The entire document may be viewed on the district’s website, www.rih.com, or at the school board office at Indian Hills High School on Yawpo Avenue in Oakland. A board member cannot be appointed to a paid office or position required to be filled by the school board unless the law permits or requires that the office or position be filled by a board member, and a board member is ineligible for appointment to a paid office or position in the district for at least six months after the member’s retirement, resignation, or removal from board membership. The changes to the code of ethics in the updated bylaw require a trustee to appoint the best-qualified personnel available after consideration of the recommendation of the district’s superintendent, and to refer all complaints to that superintendent and act on the complaints at public meetings only after the failure of an administrative solution. The updated bylaw was scheduled for adoption at this week’s school board meeting. The entire document may be viewed online at www. rih.com, or at the school board office at Indian Hills High on Yawpo Avenue in Oakland. Bylaw updated (continued from page 7) for the purpose of influencing the board member, directly or indirectly, in the discharge of his or her official duties. A member may solicit or accept contributions to his or her campaign for election to public office, however, if he or she had no knowledge or reason to believe that the campaign contribution, if accepted, was given with the intent to influence him or her in the discharge of official duties. Board members cannot accept offers of meals, entertainment, or hospitality which are limited to clients or customers of the individual providing such hospitality, but board members may attend hospitality suites or receptions at conferences if they are open to all persons attending the conference.