Sexual Harassment - Student Policy | For the purpose of this policy, sexual harassment means unwelcome conduct or communication of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can occur adult to student, student to student or can be carried out by a group of students or adults and will be investigated by the District even if the alleged harasser is not a part of the school staff or student body.

The District prohibits sexual harassment of students by other students, employees or third parties involved in School District activities. The term “sexual harassment” may include:

• Acts of sexual violence;
• Unwelcome sexual or gender-directed conduct or communication that interferes with an individual's education performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment;
• Unwelcome sexual advances;
• Unwelcome requests for sexual favors;
• Sexual demands when submission is a stated or implied condition of obtaining an educational benefit;
• Sexual demands where submission or rejection is a factor in an academic, or other school-related decision affecting an individual.

A "hostile environment" has been created for a student when sexual harassment is sufficiently serious to interfere with or limit the student's ability to participate in or benefit from the school's program. The more severe the conduct, the less need there is to demonstrate a repetitive series of incidents. In fact, a single or isolated incident of sexual harassment may create a hostile environment if the incident is sufficiently severe, violent, or egregious.

[Board Policy 3214 and Procedures 3214-P]

Gender-Inclusive Schools | The principal or building administrator or an appropriate, designated school employee is encouraged to request a meeting with a transgender or gender-expansive student upon the student's enrollment in the District or in response to a currently enrolled student's change of gender expression or identity.  Before contacting a student's parents/guardians, the school will consult with the student about the student's preferences regarding family involvement and honor those preferences. The goals of the meeting are to develop:

• Understanding of that student's individual needs with respect to their gender expression or identity, including any accommodations that the student is requesting or that the District will provide according to Board Policy 3211 and Procedures 3211-P, and under State and federal law; and
• Shared understanding of the student's day-to-day routine within the school so as to foster a relationship and help alleviate any apprehensions the student may have with regard to attendance at school relative to, but not limited to:
  • Assigned sex at birth, cisgender, transgender, transitioning
  • Gender expansive, gender expression, gender identity

[Board Policy 3211 and Procedures 3211-P]

Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying | The Mukilteo School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students that is free from harassment, intimidation or bullying.

"Harassment, intimidation or bullying" means any intentionally written message or image — including those that are electronically transmitted, — a verbal, or physical act, including, but not limited to, one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 28A.640.010 and RCW 28A.642.010, or other distinguishing characteristics, when an act:

• Physically harms a student or damages the student's property; or
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education; or
• Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Nothing in this section requires the affected student to actually possess a characteristic that is a basis for the harassment, intimidation or bullying.

"Other distinguishing characteristics" can include but are not limited to: physical appearance, clothing or other apparel, socioeconomic status, and weight. "Intentional acts" refers to the individual's choice to engage in the act rather than the ultimate impact of the action(s).

[Board Policy 3216 and Procedures 3216-P]