RULE NUMBER: Policy 5.81.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Procedures for investigation and resolution of allegations of sexual harassment of, or gender-based discrimination against, students.

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This revision clarifies the grievance and investigation procedures to be used by the District when a student alleges that either a student or a District employee has subjected him/her to sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination; updates the various levels of appeal available to the aggrieved student or accused person; requires formal complaints to be in writing; clarifies that the principal or other school official receiving a verbal informal complaint must memorialize the allegations in a written summary and request the student (or minor student’s parent/guardian) to sign the written summary; various technical changes.

SPECIFIC RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: §§ 230.22(2); 230.23(22); 230.23005(6), Fla. Stat.

LAWS IMPLEMENTED: §§ 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688 (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972); 20 U.S.C. § 1232g et seq. ("FERPA"); and §§ 119.07(3)(p); 228.2001(2)(a), (b); 228.093(3)(d); 230.22(1), (2); 230.23(6)(d)8; 231.001; 231.291(3)(a); 231.262(1), Fla. Stat.

CONTACT PERSON: JulieAnn Allison, 3318 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33406.

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT of the Proposed Rule Development may be promptly obtained without cost from the District’s web site at www.SchoolBoardPolicies.com/revisions.htm (or from Office of Public Affairs, 3336 Forest Hill Blvd. Ste. B-102, West Palm Beach, FL 33406).

RULE DEVELOPMENT HEARING: This rule development may be considered at the School Board’s Special Meeting on Policies on October 14, 2002 (anticipated to begin at 2:00 p.m.), in the Board Chambers at 3300 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, Fla. The meeting is open to the public.