Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
Descriptor Term:
6.304
07/07/25
Student Discrimination/Harassment
Rescinds:
Issued:
and Bullying/Intimidation and
6.304
06/02/25
Cyberbullying
1
The Hickman County Board of Education has determined that a safe, civil, and supportive environment
2
in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. In order to maintain
3
that environment, acts of bullying, cyber-bullying, discrimination (including the definition of
4
antisemitism found in policy 4.100), harassment, hazing or any other victimization of students, based on
5
any actual or perceived traits or characteristics, are prohibited.¹
6
This policy shall be disseminated annually to all school staff, students, and parents. 2 This policy shall
7
cover employees, employees' behaviors, students and students' behaviors while on school property, at
8
any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided equipment or transportation, or at any official school
9
bus stop. If the act takes place off school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity, this policy
10
is in effect if the conduct is directed specifically at a student or students and has the effect of creating a
11
hostile educational environment or otherwise creating a substantial disruption to the education
12
environment or learning process.
13
Building administrators are responsible for educating and training their respective staff and students as
14
to the definition and recognition of violations of this policy.³
15
DEFINITIONS⁴
16
Bullying/Intimidation/Harassment - An act that substantially interferes with a student's educational
17
benefits, opportunities, or performance, and the act has the effect of:
18
Physically harming a student or damaging a student's property;
19
Knowingly placing a student or students in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or
20
damage to the student's property;
21
Causing emotional distress to a student or students; or
22
Creating a hostile educational environment.
23
Bullying, intimidation, or harassment may also be unwelcome conduct based on a protected class (race,
24
nationality, origin, color, gender sex (Sex shall be defined as the "immutable characteristics of the
25
person's reproductive system that identify the person as male or female, as determined by anatomy and
26
genetics existing at the time of birth.")⁵, age, disability, religion,) that is severe, pervasive, or persistent
27
and creates a hostile environment.
28
Cyber-bullying - A form of bullying undertaken through the use of electronic devices. Electronic devices
29
include, but are not limited to, telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices,
30
text messaging, emails, social networking sites, instant messaging, videos, web sites or fake profiles.
Version Date: June 23, 2026
Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying, Cyber-bullying and Intimidation
6.304
1
Hazing - An intentional or reckless act by a student or group of students that is directed against any other
2
student(s) that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student(s) or that induces or
3
coerces a student to endanger his/her mental or physical health or safety. Coaches and other employees
4
of the school district shall not encourage, permit, condone or tolerate hazing activities.
5
"Hazing" does not include customary athletic events or similar contest or competitions and is limited to
6
those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any
7
organization.
8
COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS
9
Any individual who has knowledge of behaviors that may constitute a violation of this policy shall
10
promptly report such information to the principal/designee. 6
11
Alleged victims of the above-referenced offenses shall report these incidents immediately to a teacher,
12
counselor or building administrator.³ All school employees are required to report alleged violations of
13
this policy to the principal/designee. All other members of the school community, including students,
14
parents, volunteers, and visitors, are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy.
15
While reports may be made anonymously, an individual's need for confidentiality must be balanced with
16
obligations to cooperate with police investigations or legal proceedings, to provide due process to the
17
accused, to conduct a thorough investigation or to take necessary actions to resolve a complaint, and the
18
identity of parties and witnesses may be disclosed in appropriate circumstances to individuals with a
19
need to know.
20
The principal/designee at each school shall be responsible for investigating and resolving complaints.
21
Once a complaint is received, the principal/designee shall initiate and investigation within forty-eight
22
(48) hours of receipt of the report. 4 If a report is not initiated within forty-eight (48) hours, the
23
principal/designee shall provide the director of schools with appropriate documentation detailing the
24
reasons why the investigation was not initiated within the required timeframe.⁷
25
The principal/designee shall notify the parent/legal guardian when a student is involved in an act of
26
discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying. The principal/designee shall
27
provide information on district counseling and support services. Students involved in an act of
28
discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying shall be referred to the appropriate
29
school counselor by the principal/designee when deemed necessary.⁸
30
The principal/designee is responsible for determining whether an alleged act constitutes a violation of
31
this policy, and such act shall be held to violate this policy when it meets one of the following conditions:
32
It places the student in reasonable fear or harm for the student's person or property;
33
It has a substantially detrimental effect on the student's physical or mental health;
34
It has the effect of substantially interfering with the student's academic performance; or
35
It has the effect of substantially interfering with the student's ability to participate in or benefit
36
from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.
37
Upon the determination of a violation, the principal/designee shall conduct a prompt, thorough, and
38
complete investigation of each alleged incident. All investigations shall be completed and appropriate
Page 2 of 4
Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying. Cyber-bullying and Intimidation
6.304
1
intervention taken within twenty (20) calendar days from the receipt of the initial report. 7 If the
2
investigation is not complete or intervention has not taken place within twenty (20) calendar days, the
3
principal/designee shall provide the director of schools with appropriate documentation detailing the
4
reasons why the investigation has not been completed or the appropriate intervention has not taken
5
place.⁷
6
RESPONSE AND PREVENTION¹
7
School administrators shall consider the nature and circumstances of the incident, the age of the
8
violator, the degree of harm, previous incidences or patterns of behavior, or any other factors, as
9
appropriate to properly respond to each situation.
10
A substantiated charge against an employee shall result in disciplinary action up to and including
11
termination. A substantiated charge against a student may result in corrective or disciplinary action up
12
to and including suspension.
13
An employee disciplined for violation of this policy may appeal the decision by contacting the Federal
14
Rights Coordinator or Director of Schools. Any student disciplined for violation of this policy may
15
appeal the decision in accordance with disciplinary policies and procedures.
16
REPORTS
17
When a complaint is filed alleging a violation of this policy where there is physical harm or the threat
18
of physical harm to a student or a student's property, the principal/designee of each middle school,
19
junior high school, or high school shall report the findings and any disciplinary actions taken to the
20
director of schools and the chair of the board of education. 11
21
By July 1 of each year, the director of schools/designee shall prepare a report of all of the bullying
22
cases brought to the attention of school officials during the prior academic year. The report shall also
23
indicate how the cases were resolved and/or the reasons they are still pending. This report shall be
24
presented to the board of education at its regular July meeting, and it shall be submitted to the state
25
department of education by August 1. 12
26
The director of schools shall develop forms and procedures to ensure compliance with the
27
requirements of this policy and TCA 49-6-1016.
28
RETALIATION AND FALSE ACCUSATIONS
29
Retaliation against any person who reports or assists in any investigation of an act alleged in this
30
policy is prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in
31
retaliation shall be determined by the administrator after consideration of the nature, severity, and
32
circumstances of the act. 13
33
False accusations accusing another person of having committed an act prohibited under this policy are
34
prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person found to have falsely
35
accused another may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension and
36
expulsion.
14
Page 3 of 4
Legal References
Cross References
1. TCA 49-6-4503(a), (b)(3); 20 USCA §§ 1681 to 1686; Public
Section 504 and ADA Grievance Procedures 1.802
Acts of 2025, Chapter No. 293
Instructional Programs 4.100
2. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(11)
Staff-Student Relations 5.610
3. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(12)
Student Goals 6.100
4. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(2), (13)
Title IX & Sexual Harassment 6.3041
5. TCA 49-2-120; Public Acts of 2026, Chapter No. 938
Code of Conduct 6.300
6.
TCA 49-6-4503(b)(5)
Student Concerns 6.305
7. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(6)
Reporting Child Abuse 6.409
8. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(14)
Emergency Contact Information 6.410
9. 20 USCA § 1232g
Student Suicide Prevention 6.415
10. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(4), (7)-(8)
11. TCA 49-6-4503(d)(3)
12. TCA 49-6-4503(c)(2)(B)
13. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(9)
14. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(10)
Version Date: June 23, 2026

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: | Descriptor Code: 6.304 | Issued Date: 07/07/25 |
|  | Student Discrimination/Harassment and Bullying/Intimidation and Cyberbullying | Rescinds: 6.304 | Issued: 06/02/25 |

## Table 2

| 5 | "Hazing" does not include customary athletic events or similar contest or competitions and is limited to |
| --- | --- |
| 6 7 | those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization. |
| 8 | COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS |
| 9 10 | Any individual who has knowledge of behaviors that may constitute a violation of this policy shall promptly report such information to the principal/designee. 6 |
| 11 12 13 14 | Alleged victims of the above-referenced offenses shall report these incidents immediately to a teacher, counselor or building administrator.³ All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the principal/designee. All other members of the school community, including students, parents, volunteers, and visitors, are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy. |
| 15 16 17 18 19 | While reports may be made anonymously, an individual's need for confidentiality must be balanced with obligations to cooperate with police investigations or legal proceedings, to provide due process to the accused, to conduct a thorough investigation or to take necessary actions to resolve a complaint, and the identity of parties and witnesses may be disclosed in appropriate circumstances to individuals with a need to know. |
| 20 21 22 23 24 | The principal/designee at each school shall be responsible for investigating and resolving complaints. Once a complaint is received, the principal/designee shall initiate and investigation within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of the report. 4 If a report is not initiated within forty-eight (48) hours, the principal/designee shall provide the director of schools with appropriate documentation detailing the reasons why the investigation was not initiated within the required timeframe.⁷ |
| 25 26 27 28 29 | The principal/designee shall notify the parent/legal guardian when a student is involved in an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying. The principal/designee shall provide information on district counseling and support services. Students involved in an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying shall be referred to the appropriate school counselor by the principal/designee when deemed necessary.⁸ |
| 30 31 | The principal/designee is responsible for determining whether an alleged act constitutes a violation of this policy, and such act shall be held to violate this policy when it meets one of the following conditions: |
| 32 33 34 35 36 | It places the student in reasonable fear or harm for the student's person or property; It has a substantially detrimental effect on the student's physical or mental health; It has the effect of substantially interfering with the student's academic performance; or It has the effect of substantially interfering with the student's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school. |
| 37 38 | Upon the determination of a violation, the principal/designee shall conduct a prompt, thorough, and complete investigation of each alleged incident. All investigations shall be completed and appropriate |

## Table 3

| 1 | intervention taken within twenty (20) calendar days from the receipt of the initial report. 7 If the |
| --- | --- |
| 2 | investigation is not complete or intervention has not taken place within twenty (20) calendar days, the |
| 3 | principal/designee shall provide the director of schools with appropriate documentation detailing the |
| 4 | reasons why the investigation has not been completed or the appropriate intervention has not taken |
| 5 | place.⁷ |
| 6 | RESPONSE AND PREVENTION¹ |
| 7 8 9 | School administrators shall consider the nature and circumstances of the incident, the age of the violator, the degree of harm, previous incidences or patterns of behavior, or any other factors, as appropriate to properly respond to each situation. |
| 10 | A substantiated charge against an employee shall result in disciplinary action up to and including |
| 11 | termination. A substantiated charge against a student may result in corrective or disciplinary action up |
| 12 | to and including suspension. |
| 13 | An employee disciplined for violation of this policy may appeal the decision by contacting the Federal |
| 14 | Rights Coordinator or Director of Schools. Any student disciplined for violation of this policy may |
| 15 | appeal the decision in accordance with disciplinary policies and procedures. |
| 16 | REPORTS |
| 17 | When a complaint is filed alleging a violation of this policy where there is physical harm or the threat |
| 18 | of physical harm to a student or a student's property, the principal/designee of each middle school, |
| 19 | junior high school, or high school shall report the findings and any disciplinary actions taken to the |
| 20 | director of schools and the chair of the board of education. 11 |
| 21 | By July 1 of each year, the director of schools/designee shall prepare a report of all of the bullying |
| 22 | cases brought to the attention of school officials during the prior academic year. The report shall also |
| 23 24 | indicate how the cases were resolved and/or the reasons they are still pending. This report shall be presented to the board of education at its regular July meeting, and it shall be submitted to the state |
| 25 | department of education by August 1. 12 |
| 26 | The director of schools shall develop forms and procedures to ensure compliance with the |
| 27 | requirements of this policy and TCA 49-6-1016. |
| 28 | RETALIATION AND FALSE ACCUSATIONS |
| 29 | Retaliation against any person who reports or assists in any investigation of an act alleged in this |
| 30 | policy is prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in |
| 31 | retaliation shall be determined by the administrator after consideration of the nature, severity, and |
| 32 | circumstances of the act. 13 |
| 33 | False accusations accusing another person of having committed an act prohibited under this policy are |
| 34 | prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person found to have falsely |
| 35 | accused another may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension and |
| 36 | expulsion. 14 |

## Table 4

|  | Legal References | Cross References |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. | TCA 49-6-4503(a), (b)(3); 20 USCA §§ 1681 to 1686; Public Acts of 2025, Chapter No. 293 | Section 504 and ADA Grievance Procedures 1.802 Instructional Programs 4.100 |
| 2. | TCA 49-6-4503(b)(11) | Staff-Student Relations 5.610 |
| 3. | TCA 49-6-4503(b)(12) | Student Goals 6.100 |
| 4. | TCA 49-6-4503(b)(2), (13) | Title IX & Sexual Harassment 6.3041 |
| 5. | TCA 49-2-120; Public Acts of 2026, Chapter No. 938 | Code of Conduct 6.300 |
| 6. | TCA 49-6-4503(b)(5) | Student Concerns 6.305 |
| 7. | TCA 49-6-4503(b)(6) | Reporting Child Abuse 6.409 |
| 8. | TCA 49-6-4503(b)(14) | Emergency Contact Information 6.410 |
| 9. | 20 USCA § 1232g | Student Suicide Prevention 6.415 |
| 10. | TCA 49-6-4503(b)(4), (7)-(8) |  |
| 11. | TCA 49-6-4503(d)(3) |  |
| 12. | TCA 49-6-4503(c)(2)(B) |  |
| 13. | TCA 49-6-4503(b)(9) |  |
| 14. | TCA 49-6-4503(b)(10) |  |