Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
Descriptor Term:
6.304
04/03/23
Student Discrimination/Harassment
Rescinds:
Issued:
and Bullying/Intimidation and
6.304
02/01/21
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
5
on 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, age, disability, religion) that is severe, pervasive, or persistent and
25
creates a hostile environment.
26
Cyber-bullying - A form of bullying undertaken through the use of electronic devices. Electronic devices
27
include, but are not limited to, telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices,
28
text messaging, emails, social networking sites, instant messaging, videos, web sites or fake profiles.
29
Hazing - An intentional or reckless act by a student or group of students that is directed against any other
30
student(s) that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of the student(s) or that induces or
Version Date: June 10, 2025
Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying, Cyber-bullying and Intimidation
6.304
1
coerces a student to endanger his/her mental or physical health or safety. Coaches and other employees
2
of the school district shall not encourage, permit, condone or tolerate hazing activities.
3
"Hazing" does not include customary athletic events or similar contest or competitions and is limited to
4
those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any
organization.
5
5
6
COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS
7
Any individual who has knowledge of behaviors that may constitute a violation of this policy shall
8
promptly report such information to the principal/designee. 6
9
Alleged victims of the above-referenced offenses shall report these incidents immediately to a teacher,
10
counselor or building administrator.³ All school employees are required to report alleged violations of
11
this policy to the principal/designee. All other members of the school community, including students,
12
parents, volunteers, and visitors, are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy.
13
While reports may be made anonymously, an individual's need for confidentiality must be balanced with
14
obligations to cooperate with police investigations or legal proceedings, to provide due process to the
15
accused, to conduct a thorough investigation or to take necessary actions to resolve a complaint, and the
16
identity of parties and witnesses may be disclosed in appropriate circumstances to individuals with a
17
need to know.
18
The principal/designee at each school shall be responsible for investigating and resolving complaints.
19
Once a complaint is received, the principal/designee shall initiate and investigation within forty-eight
20
(48) hours of receipt of the report. 4 If a report is not initiated within forty-eight (48) hours, the
21
principal/designee shall provide the director of schools with appropriate documentation detailing the
22
reasons why the investigation was not initiated within the required timeframe.
23
The principal/designee shall notify the parent/legal guardian when a student is involved in an act of
24
discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying. The principal/designee shall
25
provide information on district counseling and support services. Students involved in an act of
26
discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyber-bullying shall be referred to the appropriate
27
school counselor by the principal/designee when deemed necessary.⁸
28
The principal/designee is responsible for determining whether an alleged act constitutes a violation of
29
this policy, and such act shall be held to violate this policy when it meets one of the following conditions:
30
It places the student in reasonable fear or harm for the student's person or property;
31
It has a substantially detrimental effect on the student's physical or mental health;
32
It has the effect of substantially interfering with the student's academic performance; or
33
It has the effect of substantially interfering with the student's ability to participate in or benefit
34
from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.
35
Upon the determination of a violation, the principal/designee shall conduct a prompt, thorough, and
36
complete investigation of each alleged incident. All investigations shall be completed and appropriate
37
intervention taken within twenty (20) calendar days from the receipt of the initial report.⁷ If the
38
investigation is not complete or intervention has not taken place within twenty (20) calendar days, the
Page 2 of 4
6.304
Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying. Cyber-bullying and Intimidation
1
principal/designee shall provide the director of schools with appropriate documentation detailing the
2
reasons why the investigation has not been completed or the appropriate intervention has not taken
3
place.
7
4
RESPONSE AND PREVENTION 10
5
School administrators shall consider the nature and circumstances of the incident, the age of the
6
violator, the degree of harm, previous incidences or patterns of behavior, or any other factors, as
7
appropriate to properly respond to each situation.
8
A substantiated charge against an employee shall result in disciplinary action up to and including
9
termination. A substantiated charge against a student may result in corrective or disciplinary action up
10
to and including suspension.
11
An employee disciplined for violation of this policy may appeal the decision by contacting the Federal
12
Rights Coordinator or Director of Schools. Any student disciplined for violation of this policy may
13
appeal the decision in accordance with disciplinary policies and procedures.
14
REPORTS
15
When a complaint is filed alleging a violation of this policy where there is physical harm or the threat
16
of physical harm to a student or a student's property, the principal/designee of each middle school,
17
junior high school, or high school shall report the findings and any disciplinary actions taken to the
18
director of schools and the chair of the board of education. 11
19
By July 1 of each year, the director of schools/designee shall prepare a report of all of the bullying
20
cases brought to the attention of school officials during the prior academic year. The report shall also
21
indicate how the cases were resolved and/or the reasons they are still pending. This report shall be
22
presented to the board of education at its regular July meeting, and it shall be submitted to the state
23
department of education by August 1. 12
24
The director of schools shall develop forms and procedures to ensure compliance with the
25
requirements of this policy and TCA 49-6-1016.
26
RETALIATION AND FALSE ACCUSATIONS
27
Retaliation against any person who reports or assists in any investigation of an act alleged in this
28
policy is prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in
29
retaliation shall be determined by the administrator after consideration of the nature, severity, and
30
circumstances of the act. 13
31
False accusations accusing another person of having committed an act prohibited under this policy are
32
prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person found to have falsely
33
accused another may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension and
34
expulsion. 14
Page 3 of 4
Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying. Cyber-bullying. and Intimidation
6.304
Legal References
Cross References
1.
TCA 49-6-4503(a), (b)(3); 20 USCA §§ 1681 to 1686;Public
Appeals to and Appearances Before the Board 1.404
Acts of 2025. Chapter No. 293
Section 504 and ADA Grievance Procedures 1.802
Staff-Student Relations 5.610
2.
TCA 49-6-4503(b)(11)
Student Goals 6.100
3.
TCA 49-6-4503(b)(12)
Title IX & Sexual Harassment 6.3041
4.
TCA 49-6-4503(b)(2), (13)
Code of Conduct 6.300
5.
TCA 49-2-120
Student Concerns 6.305
6.
TCA 49-6-4503(b)(5)
Reporting Child Abuse 6.409
7.
TCA 49-6-4503(b)(6)
Emergency Contact Information 6.410
8.
TCA 49-6-4503(b)(14)
Student Suicide Prevention 6.415
9.
20 USCA § 1232g
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)
Page 4 of 4
Hickman County School System
Student
6.304AP
Discrimination/Harassment, and
Bullying/Intimidation
Purpose:
The purpose of the procedure on bullying is to promote consistency of approach and to create a
climate in which all types of bullying are regarded as unacceptable. Attitudes and practices can
contribute to bullying, to lower levels of confidence, self-esteem and lack of achievement.
Goals:
The Hickman County Board of Education has determined that a safe, civil, and supportive
environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. The
anti-bullying program with Hickman County Schools seeks to accomplish the following goals:
- To promote a secure and happy environment free from threat, harassment and any type of
bullying behavior.
- To take positive action to prevent bullying from occurring.
- To inform parents and students of the school's expectations and to foster a productive
partnership which helps to maintain a bully-free environment.
- To make staff aware of their role in fostering the knowledge and attitudes which will be
required to achieve the above items.
Definition of Bullying Bullying/Intimidation/Harassment
- An act that substantially interferes with a student's educational benefits, opportunities, or
performance, and the act has the effect of:
- Physically harming a student or damaging a student's property;
- Knowingly placing a student or students in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or
damage to the student's property;
- Causing emotional distress to a student or students; or
- Creating a hostile educational environment.
Bullying, intimidation, or harassment may also be unwelcome conduct based on a protected class
(race, national, origin, color, gender, age, disability, religion) that is severe, pervasive, or persistent
and creates a hostile environment. For further clarification, see Policy 6.304.
Crucial Factors to Combat Bullying
1. Awareness and involvement on the part of adults, with regards to bully-victim problems.
2. Survey of bully/victim problems to determine the scope of the problem in each school.
3. School assemblies regarding bully/victim problems.
4. Appropriate supervision during recess, lunch time and changing of classes by adult staff.
110
5. Consistent and immediate consequences for aggressive behavior.
6. Implementation of SWPBS (School Wide Positive Behavior Supports) for each school.
7. Specific class rules against bullying.
8. Unit of studying on bullying completed through the guidance departments.
9. Serious individual talks with bullies and with victims. Serious talks with parents of bullies and
victims.
10. Involving the school leadership team to discuss ways to include in SIP.
11. A curriculum which promotes communication, friendship and assertive skills such as the
bucket filler method.
12. Improved communication among administrators, teachers, parents and staff.
13. Listening respectfully to bullying concerns raised by student, parents and staff.
14. Avoidance of sex-role stereotyping. (e.g. males need to be strong and tough).
15. Avoidance of competitiveness for academic and social/emotional activities.
16. Use of classmates to help alleviate the plight of victims and include them in group activities.
The above measures are considered part of an effective school- wide anti-bullying program, per
research on this topic.
Staff Responsibilities
1. To implement procedures to confront bullying in any form.
2. To listen to all parties involved in incidents.
3. To investigate and document as fully as possible.
4. To take appropriate action, or to refer the matter to a member of the administration.
5. To record and inform parents of bullying incidents.
6. To promote the use of a range of teaching and learning styles and strategies which challenge
bullying behavior.
7. To promote open management styles which facilitate communication and consultation
throughout the school setting.
8. To foster by example the values the school believes in.
9. To promote the use of interventions which are the least intrusive and most effective.
10. To hold regular discussions on this issue with administration, staff, students and parents.
11. To support victims of bullying by means of individual and peer counseling.
12. To initiate efforts to change the behavior of the bullies through class discussions,
counseling, reinforcement and sanctions where appropriate
111

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: | Descriptor Code: 6.304 | Issued Date: 04/03/23 |
|  | Student Discrimination/Harassment and Bullying/Intimidation and Cyberbullying | Rescinds: 6.304 | Issued: 02/01/21 |

## Table 2

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| 3 4 5 | "Hazing" does not include customary athletic events or similar contest or competitions and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization. 5 |
| 6 | COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS |
| 7 8 | 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 |
| 9 10 11 12 | 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. |
| 13 14 15 16 17 | 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. |
| 18 19 20 21 22 | 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. |
| 23 24 25 26 27 | 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 |
| 28 29 | 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: |
| 30 31 32 33 34 | 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. |
| 35 36 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 intervention taken within twenty (20) calendar days from the receipt of the initial report.⁷ If the investigation is not complete or intervention has not taken place within twenty (20) calendar days, the |

## Table 3

| 2 | reasons why the investigation has not been completed or the appropriate |
| --- | --- |
| 3 | place. 7 |
| 4 | RESPONSE AND PREVENTION 10 |
| 5 | School administrators shall consider the nature and circumstances of the incident, the age of the |
| 6 | violator, the degree of harm, previous incidences or patterns of behavior, or any other factors, as |
| 7 | appropriate to properly respond to each situation. |
| 8 | A substantiated charge against an employee shall result in disciplinary action up to and including |
| 9 | termination. A substantiated charge against a student may result in corrective or disciplinary action up |
| 10 | to and including suspension. |
| 11 | An employee disciplined for violation of this policy may appeal the decision by contacting the Federal |
| 12 | Rights Coordinator or Director of Schools. Any student disciplined for violation of this policy may |
| 13 | appeal the decision in accordance with disciplinary policies and procedures. |
| 14 | REPORTS |
| 15 | When a complaint is filed alleging a violation of this policy where there is physical harm or the threat |
| 16 | of physical harm to a student or a student's property, the principal/designee of each middle school, taken to the |
| 17 | junior high school, or high school shall report the findings and any disciplinary actions 11 |
| 18 | director of schools and the chair of the board of education. |
| 19 | By July 1 of each year, the director of schools/designee shall prepare a report of all of the bullying also |
| 20 | cases brought to the attention of school officials during the prior academic year. The report shall shall be |
| 21 | indicate how the cases were resolved and/or the reasons they are still pending. This report the |
| 22 | presented to the board of education at its regular July meeting, and it shall be submitted to state |
| 23 | department of education by August 1. 12 |
| 24 25 | The director of schools shall develop forms and procedures to ensure compliance with the requirements of this policy and TCA 49-6-1016. |
| 26 | RETALIATION AND FALSE ACCUSATIONS |
| 27 | Retaliation against any person who reports or assists in any investigation of an act alleged in this in |
| 28 | policy is prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages and |
| 29 | retaliation shall be determined by the administrator after consideration of the nature, severity, |
| 30 | circumstances of the act. 13 |
| 31 | False accusations accusing another person of having committed an act prohibited under this policy are |
| 32 | prohibited. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person found to have falsely and |
| 33 34 | accused another may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension 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 | Appeals to and Appearances Before the Board 1.404 Section 504 and ADA Grievance Procedures 1.802 Staff-Student Relations 5.610 |
| 2. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(11) | Student Goals 6.100 |
| 3. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(12) | Title IX & Sexual Harassment 6.3041 |
| 4. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(2), (13) | Code of Conduct 6.300 |
| 5. TCA 49-2-120 | Student Concerns 6.305 |
| 6. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(5) | Reporting Child Abuse 6.409 |
| 7. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(6) | Emergency Contact Information 6.410 |
| 8. TCA 49-6-4503(b)(14) | Student Suicide Prevention 6.415 |
| 9. 20 USCA § 1232g |  |
| 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) |  |

## Table 5

| Hickman County | School System |
| --- | --- |
| Student Discrimination/Harassment, and Bullying/Intimidation | 6.304AP |