The term 'violence' as used in this policy means the infliction of physical force by a student with the intent to cause injury to another student or damage to the property of another student. The term 'threat of violence' as used in this policy means an expression of intention to inflict injury or damage that is made by a student and directed to another student. The term 'intimidation' as used in this policy means a threat or other action that is intended to cause fear or apprehension in a student, especially for the purpose of coercing or deterring the student from participating in or taking advantage of any school program, benefit, activity or opportunity for which the student is or would be eligible. The term 'student' as used in this policy means a student who is enrolled in the Dale County School System.

Description of Behavior Expected of Students: Students are expected to treat other students with courtesy, respect, and dignity and comply with the Code of Student Conduct. Students are expected and required (1) to comply with the requirements of law, policy, regulation, and rules prohibiting harassment, violence, or intimidation; (2) to refrain from inflicting or threatening to inflict violence, injury, or damage to the person or property of another student; and (3) to refrain from placing another student in fear of being subjected to violence, injury, or damage when such actions or threats are reasonably perceived as being motivated by any personal characteristic of the student that is identified in this policy. Violence, threats of violence, harassment, and intimidation are prohibited and will be subject to disciplinary consequences and sanctions if the perpetrator of such action is found to have based the prohibited action on one or more of the following personal characteristics of the victim of such conduct:

- • The student's race;
- • The student's sex;
- • The student's religion;
- • The student's national origin; or
- • The student's disability.

A series of graduated consequences for any violation of this policy will be those outlined in the Code of Student Conduct or any rule or standard adopted under authority of this policy. Reporting, Investigation, and Complaint Resolution Procedures: Complaints alleging violations of this policy must be made on Board- approved complaint forms available at the principal's and or counselor's office. The complaint must be signed by the student alleging the violation or by the student's parent or legal guardian and delivered to the principal or the principal's designee either by mail or personal delivery. At the request of the complaining student or the student's parent or legal guardian, incidental or minor violations of the policy may be presented and resolved informally. Upon receipt of the complaint, the principal or the principal's designee will, in his/her sole discretion, determine if the complaint alleges a serious violation of this policy. If the principal or the principal's designee determines that the complaint al leges a serious violation, the principal or the designee will undertake an investigation of the complaint. A reasonably prompt time period, taking into account the circumstances of the complaint, will be allowed. If the investigation establishes a violation, appropriate disciplinary sanctions will be imposed on the offending student(s). Other measures that are reasonably calculated to prevent a recurrence of the violation(s) may also be imposed by the principal or the school system. Acts of reprisal or retaliation against any student who has reported a violation of this policy or sought relief