Scarsdale Public Schools

The Board Policies designed to support an environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination, and misconduct are listed below for convenience. The full book of policies can be found in the Policies section of BoardDocs. The Code of Conduct communicates expected behaviors from members of the school community, as well as that of visitors to our schools. Consequences for violations of the Code are outlined therein. Other policies, including those below, define behaviors that cross into bullying, harassment, discrimination, or misconduct, and describe the procedures to be followed when an allegation is reported. Such behaviors are unacceptable, and it is the responsibility of all members of our learning community to do our part to spot them when they occur, intervene to stop them, record what happened, and report them to the proper authority. Ensuring everyone understands these expectations and our responsibilities is one way we prevent these behaviors from occurring.

Complaints of alleged bullying, harassment, discrimination and/or misconduct can be made to the designated school or district point of contact (see below) verbally or by emailing a Complaint Form to the same individual (see all contacts in the table below). Once notice of an event has been received and the incident has been reported, the parent(s) will be notified (if applicable), and an inquiry investigation will commence. The flowchart below outlines in general terms the process followed to reach a determination about a claim. 

Retaliation against any individual for the purpose of interfering with their rights or because the individual made a report or complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing (including under Title IX) is expressly prohibited.

Scarsdale Public Schools Incident Reporting and Response Flowchart^#

^#Adapted from McGrath Training Solutions ©1993-2024

It is the responsibility of all members of our community to report behavior of concern when it is observed. Once reported, an Investigator will conduct an inquiry investigation, which may include written statements from the complainant, respondent and witnesses; interviews; and an analysis of the incident. Determining whether bullying, harassment, discrimination, and/or misconduct has occurred is determined through five key questions:

1. Is someone getting hurt, physically or emotionally?
2. Is the behavior unwanted?
3. Was it severe and/or has this happened before?
4. Does it interfere with the experience of school (student) or work (adult)?
5. Is it disrupting the environment for others?

If a determination is made that many or all of these things have happened, a formal investigation is started. The District will provide for adequate, reliable, and impartial investigation of complaints. Complaints made under Title IX will follow all required components of the District’s Title IX policy. Grievance procedures, timelines for completing investigations, and the process for appeals can be found within the respective policies linked above

In Scarsdale, we have adopted the following terms to help explain the various individuals involved with a complaint of bullying, harassment, discrimination, or misconduct.

Below is a list of the roles and responsibilities of staff who support investigations into bullying, harassment, discrimination, and misconduct, including Title IX. All staff fulfilling these roles have been fully trained in intake and investigation skills and Title IX regulations. Assigned investigators are impartial, unbiased, and knowledgeable, and free from conflicts.