Title IX » Title IX Information Regulations and Harassment Complaint Procedures

Title IX Information Regulations and Harassment Complaint Procedures

EEO and Title IX Statement

 

The Hempfield Area School District is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or handicap/disability in its activities, educational programs or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504. Publication of this statement is in accordance with state and federal laws including Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures or inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 may be directed to the Director of Pupil Services, Title IX Coordinator (Students) at 724-850-2457 or the Director of Human Resources (Staff) at 724-850-2222 at Hempfield Area School District, 4347 Route 136, Greensburg, PA 15601.

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Student Title IX Coordinator
Dr. Menas Zannikos
Director of Pupil Services
4347 Rte 136

Greensburg, PA 15601

724-850-2457

[email protected]

 

Employee Title IX Coordinator
Mr. Robert (Bob) Reger
Director of Human Resources
4347 Rte 136

Greensburg, PA 15601

724-850-2220

[email protected]

 

Updated Regulations

 

On May 19, 2020, the U.S. Secretary of Education amended the regulations implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and sexual orientation, including peer-to-peer sexual harassment and sexual violence. The new regulations took effect on August 14, 2020. The new regulations required us to update our policies, identify specific roles and individuals within the investigatory process, increase training for investigatory staff, and require the district to post certain information prominently on the district’s website.

 

HASD has updated its policies to reflect the new regulations and the updated investigatory procedures. While this process was technically slated to be in place by August 14, 2020, it is universally understood by all districts that the policy approval process may not allow a district to be in compliance by that date. HASD has gathered information from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and several law firms about model policies. Members on the Title IX team obtained regulatory information and participated in specific training(s) offered by the Office for Civil Rights, the Southwest Human Resources Officials, and district’s attorney on New Title IX Protections (August 10, 2020, September 3, 2020, September 24, 2020, and October 20, 2020). All training materials are posted to the HASD website.

Title IX requirements must be followed, and a school must respond appropriately when a school has actual notice of sexual harassment that occurs in a school’s program or activity. Students and parents should immediately report allegations of sexual harassment or harassment to the Title IX coordinator. 

When the school or district learns that someone is alleged to be the victim of sexual harassment, the Title IX coordinator will immediately contact the school solicitor within the firm of Maiello Brungo & Maiello, LLP  to ensure regulatory and procedural compliance. Based on the building level associated with the allegation, the roles of investigator and decision-maker will be assigned.  

 

Definitions of Sexual Harassment

 

  • D Definitions of Sexual Harassment:
    1. Any instance of “Quid Pro Quo” harassment by a school employee (i.e., unwelcome sexual harassment associated with some form of aid or benefit);
    2. Any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that a reasonable person would find to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s educational program or activity.
    3. Any instance of “Sexual assault,” “dating violence,” “domestic violence,” or “stalking” as those terms are defined under other Federal laws called the Clery Act and the Violence Against Women Act.

 

 

Other Related Policies

 

Training & Professional Development

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As part of the U.S. Department of Education Title IX Final Rule, school districts are required to provide training to staff. That initial training is aligned to the board policies listed on this site and includes the revised definitions of sexual harassment. We will also provide information to students to increase awareness and confidence in the reporting process. Training and professional development in these areas will be provided at different points throughout the year.

More specialized training was provided to school administrators, other administrators responsible for the Title IX coordinators, investigators, and decision-makers responsible for compliance. The Title IX coordinators, investigator and Decision Maker all have attended specific training offered by the law firm of Maiella Brungo & Maiello, LLP.  Areas coved in the training included areas of _________________________ In addition, school employees attended training during the in-service day at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.