Bullying

In accordance with MS Code §37-11-67, OSSD BOT Policy JDDA - Bullying, OSSD shall enforce anti-bullying behaviors. Students and employees in OSSD are protected from bullying or harassing behavior by other students or employees. It is the intent of the BOT and administration to maintain an environment free from bullying and harassing behavior. OSSD BOT Policy JDDA provides a complaint procedure and a process for filing, processing, and resolving complaints of such conduct. Adherence to these procedures is mandatory. The failure of any person to follow these procedures will constitute a waiver of the right to pursue a complaint at any level, including review by the BOT. 

 

“Bullying" or "harassing behavior” is any pattern of gestures or written, electronic or verbal communications, or any physical act or any threatening communication, or any act reasonably perceived as being motivated by any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic that (a) places a student or school employee in actual and reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property, or (b) creates or is certain to create a hostile environment by substantially interfering with or impairing a student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits.

 

A "hostile environment" means that the victim subjectively views the conduct as bullying or harassing behavior and the conduct is objectively severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would agree that it is bullying or harassing behavior.

 

The above conduct constitutes bullying if that conduct interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school MS Code § 37-11-67.

 

Bullying or harassing behavior will not be condoned or tolerated when it takes place on school property, at any school-sponsored function, on a school bus, or when it takes place off school property when such conduct, in the determination of the school superintendent or principal, renders the offending person’s presence in the classroom a disruption to the educational environment of the school or a detriment to the best interest and welfare of the pupils and teacher of such class as a whole. See Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., 141 S.Ct.2038 (2021).

 

OSSD encourages anyone who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been subject to any act of bullying or harassing behavior to report the incident to the appropriate school official. Retaliation or reprisal against any person, including a victim, a witness, or another person, who in good faith provides information concerning an incident of bullying or harassing behavior, is prohibited. MS Code § 37-11-67

 

OSSD discipline policies and procedures recognize the fundamental right of every student to take “reasonable actions” as may be necessary to defend himself or herself from an attack by another student who has evidenced menacing or threatening behavior through bullying or harassment. Furthermore, OSSD defines “reasonable action” as promptly reporting the behavior to a teacher, principal, counselor, or other school employee when subjected to bullying or harassing behavior.

 

The complaint procedure and anonymous bullying reporting form may be accessed by visiting the district website at ossdms.org.