Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

If you report HIB, school staff must attempt to resolve the concerns. If the concerns are resolved, then no further action may be necessary. However, if you feel that you or someone you know is the victim of unresolved, severe, or persistent HIB that requires further investigation and action, then you should request an official HIB investigation.

Also, the school must take actions to ensure that those who report HIB don’t experience retaliation.

Talk to any school staff member (consider starting with whoever you are most comfortable with!).

You may use our district’s reporting form to share concerns about HIB (HIB Reporting Form) but reports about HIB can be made in writing or verbally. Your report can made anonymously, if you are uncomfortable revealing your identity, or confidentially if you prefer it not be shared with other students involved with the report. No disciplinary action will be taken against another student based solely on an anonymous or confidential report.

If a staff member is notified of, observes, overhears, or otherwise witnesses HIB, they must take prompt and appropriate action to stop the HIB behavior and to prevent it from happening again.

Our district also has a HIB Compliance Officer (Dr. Gordon Brobbey, brobbg@puyallupsd.org, 302 2^nd St. SE, Puyallup, WA 98372, 253-840-8863) that supports prevention and response to HIB.

When you report a complaint, the HIB Compliance Officer or staff member leading the investigation must notify the families of the students involved with the complaint and must make sure a prompt and thorough investigation takes place. The investigation must be completed within 5 school days, unless you agree on a different timeline. If your complaint involves circumstances that require a longer investigation, the district will notify you with the anticipated date for their response. 

When the investigation is complete, the HIB Compliance Officer or the staff member leading the investigation must provide you with the outcomes of the investigation within 2 school days. This response should include:

• A summary of the results of the investigation
• A determination of whether the HIB is substantiated
• Any corrective measures or remedies needed
• Clear information about how you can appeal the decision

For The Student Designated as the “targeted student” in a Complaint

If you do not agree with the school district’s decision, you may appeal the decision and include any additional information regarding the complaint to the superintendent, or the person assigned to lead the appeal, and then to the school board.

For The Student Designated as the “aggressor” in a Complaint

A student found to be an “aggressor” in a HIB complaint may not appeal the decision of a HIB investigation. They can, however, appeal corrective actions that result from the findings of the HIB investigation.

For more information about the HIB complaint process, including important timelines, please see the district’s HIB webpage or the district’s HIB Policy 3207 and Procedure 3207R.

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct or communication that is sexual in nature and substantially interferes with a student's educational performance or creates an intimidating or hostile environment. Sexual harassment can also occur when a student is led to believe they must submit to unwelcome sexual conduct or communication to gain something in return, such as a grade or a place on a sports team.

Examples of sexual harassment can include pressuring a person for sexual actions or favors; unwelcome touching of a sexual nature; graphic or written statements of a sexual nature; distributing sexually explicit texts, e-mails, or pictures; making sexual jokes, rumors, or suggestive remarks; and physical violence, including rape and sexual assault.

Our schools do not discriminate based on sex and prohibit sex discrimination in all of our education programs and employment, as required by Title IX and state law.

To review the district’s Sexual Harassment Policy 3205 and Regulation 3205R, visit website.

When a school becomes aware of possible discriminatory or sexual harassment, it must investigate and stop the harassment. The school must address any effects the harassment had on the student at school, including eliminating the hostile environment, and make sure that the harassment does not happen again.

Talk to a Coordinator or submit a written complaint.

You may contact the following school district staff members to report your concerns, ask questions, or learn more about how to resolve your concerns.

Concerns about Discrimination

• Civil Rights Coordinator: Dr. Gordon Brobbey, Director of Cultural Competency, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 302 2^nd St. SE, Puyallup, WA 98372, brobbg@puyallupsd.org, 253-840-8863)

Concerns About Sex Discrimination, Including Sexual Harassment

• Title IX Coordinator - Students: Dr. Gordon Brobbey, Director of Cultural Competency, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 302 2^nd St. SE, Puyallup, WA 98372, brobbg@puyallupsd.org, 253-840-8863
   
• Title IX Coordinator - Staff: Amie Brandmire, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, 302 2^nd St. SE, Puyallup, WA 98372, brandma@puyallupsd.org, 253-841-8645

Concerns About Disability Discrimination

• Section 504 Coordinator: Dr. Maija Delaquin, Executive Director of Innovation and College/Career Readiness, 302 2nd Street SE, Puyallup, WA 98372, delaqm@puyallupsd.org, 253-435-6919

Concerns About Discrimination Based on Gender Identity

Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator: Dr. Gordon Brobbey, Director of Cultural Competency, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 302 2^nd St. SE, Puyallup, WA 98372, brobbg@puyallupsd.org, 253-840-8863

To submit a written complaint, describe the conduct or incident that may be discriminatory and send it by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery to the school principal, district superintendent, or civil rights coordinator. Submit the complaint as soon as possible for a prompt investigation, and within one year of the conduct or incident.

If you do not agree with the outcome of your complaint, you may appeal the decision to the secretary of the School Board and then to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

More information about this process, including important timelines, is included in the district’s Nondiscrimination Regulation (3210R) and Sexual Harassment Regulation (3205R).