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Non-Discrimination, Including Discriminatory Harassment and Sexual Harassment

Non-Discrimination, Including Discriminatory Harassment and Sexual Harassment

Discrimination can happen when someone is treated differently or unfairly because of a protected status, including their race, ethnicity, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, homelessness, religion, creed, disability, neurodivergence, use of a service animal, or veteran or military status.

  • Bainbridge Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Kristen Haizlip, Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Compliance Officer, 8489 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110; 206-780-1058; khaizlip@bisd303.org

    Civil Rights Coordinator: Kristen Haizlip khaizlip@bisd303.org (206) 780-1058

    Title IX Officer: Kristen Haizlip khaizlip@bisd303.org (206) 780-1058

    Section 504 Coordinators: Maria Kuffel mkuffel@bisd303.org  or Darren Spencer dspencer@bisd303.org (206) 842-4714  

    8489 Madison Avenue, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

    You can report discrimination and discriminatory harassment to any school staff member or to the district's Civil Rights Coordinator, listed above. You also have the right to file a complaint (see below). For a copy of your district’s nondiscrimination policy and procedure, contact your school or district office or view it online here:

  • Discriminatory harassment can include teasing and name-calling; graphic and written statements; or other behavior that is threatening, harmful, or humiliating. It happens when the behavior is based on a student’s protected status and is serious enough to create a hostile environment. A hostile environment is created when behavior is so severe, pervasive, or persistent that it limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the school’s services, activities, or opportunities.

    To review the district’s Nondiscrimination Policy 3210 and Procedure 3210, visit the district website.

  • Sexual harassment is unwelcome behavior or communication that is sexual in nature and seriously interferes with a student's educational performance or creates an intimidating or hostile environment. Sexual harassment can also occur when a student is led to believe they must accept unwelcome sexual behavior or communication to receive something in return, such as a better grade or a place on a sports team.

    Examples of sexual harassment include:

    • Pressuring a person for sexual actions or favors.
    • Unwelcome sexual touching.
    • Written, graphic, or electronic messages that are sexual in nature.
    • Sharing sexually explicit texts, emails, or pictures.
    • Making sexual jokes, spreading sexual rumors, or making suggestive comments.
    • Physical violence, including rape and sexual assault.

    Our school does not discriminate based on sex. We prohibit sex discrimination in all education programs, activities, and employment, as required by Title IX and state law.

    To review the district’s Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited Policy 3205, visit the district’s website.

  • When a school learns about possible discriminatory harassment or sexual harassment, it must investigate and take steps to stop the unwanted behavior. The school must address any effects of the harassment on the student at school, including eliminating the hostile environment, and prevent the harassment from happening again.

  • Talk to a Coordinator or submit a written complaint. You may contact the following school district staff to report your concerns, ask questions, or learn more about how to resolve your concerns. If English isn’t your first language, you can request an interpreter or prepare the complaint in your language. If you have a disability and need accommodations to make a complaint, let the school know your disability needs.

    Concerns about discrimination:

    Civil Rights Coordinator: Kristen Haizlip, Civil Rights Coordinator, 8489 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, khaizlip@bisd303.org and 206-780-1058. 

    Concerns about sex discrimination, including sexual harassment:

    Title IX Coordinator:  Kristen Haizlip, Title IX Coordinator, 8489 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, khaizlip@bisd303.org and 206-780-1058.

    Concerns about disability discrimination:

    Section 504 Coordinator: Maria Kuffel (grades PK-6), Director of Student Services, 8489 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, mkuffel@bisd303.org and 206-780-1088 or Darren Spencer (grades 7th-12th and Adult Living Program) 8489 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, dspencer@bisd303.org and 206-780-1069.

    Concerns about discrimination based on gender identity:

    Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator: Kristen Haizlip, Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, 8489 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, khaizlip@bisd303.org and 206-780-1058.

    To submit a written complaint, describe the behavior or incident that you believe may be discriminatory. Send it by mail, fax, email, or hand delivery to the school principal, district superintendent, or civil rights coordinator. Submit the complaint as soon as possible so the school district can investigate it promptly. You must submit your complaint within one year of the behavior or incident.

  • Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

    All reports must start locally at the school or district level. However, OSPI can assist students, families, communities, and school staff with questions about state law, the HIB complaint process, and the discrimination and sexual harassment complaint processes.

    OSPI School Safety Center (For questions about harassment, intimidation, and bullying)

    OSPI Equity and Civil Rights Office (For questions about discrimination and sexual harassment)

    Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO)

    The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds works with families, communities, and schools to address problems together so every student can fully participate and thrive in Washington’s K-12 public schools. OEO provides informal conflict resolution tools, coaching, facilitation, and training about family, community engagement, and systems advocacy.

    U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

    The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces federal nondiscrimination laws in public schools, including those that prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, disability, and age. OCR also has a discrimination complaint process.

     

  • The Civil Rights Coordinator will give you a copy of the school district’s discrimination complaint procedure. The Civil Rights Coordinator will make sure your complaint is investigated promptly and thoroughly. The investigation will be completed within 30 calendar days unless you agree to a different timeline. If exceptional circumstances require more time, the Civil Rights Coordinator will notify you in writing and tell you the expected date for the response.

    When the investigation is complete, the school district superintendent or the staff member leading the investigation will send you a written response. The response will include:

    • A summary of the investigation results.
    • A determination of whether the school district failed to comply with civil rights laws.
    • Any corrective actions or remedies that are needed.
    • Information about how to appeal the decision

  • If you disagree with the decision about your complaint, you may appeal the decision to Kristen Haizlip or the Board of Directors. You may then file a complaint with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). For more information about this process, including important deadlines, see the school district’s Nondiscrimination Procedure (3210P) and Sexual Harassment Procedure (3205P).

  • Harrassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB) can be discrimination if it is based on a protected status. If you give your school a written report of HIB that involves discrimination or sexual harassment, your school will notify the Civil Rights Coordinator. The school district will investigate the complaint using both the Nondiscrimination Procedure (3210P) and the HIB Procedure (3207P) to fully address your concerns.

Bainbridge Island School District follows state law and has policies and procedures in place that address the prohibition of sexual harassment.

Policy 3205 Sexual Harassment of Student Prohibited –  BISD is committed to a positive and productive education free from discrimination, including sexual harassment. This commitment extends to all students involved in academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic, and other programs or activities of the school, whether that program or activity is in a school facility, on school transportation or at a class or school training held elsewhere.

For a description of the sexual harassment complaint and remedy process, please refer to Procedure 3205P: Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited. 

Anyone may use informal procedures to report and resolve complaints of sexual harassment. Informal reports may be made to any staff member. Staff will always notify complainants of their right to file a formal complaint and the process. Staff will also direct potential complainants to the Title IX Officer.

Click here to view a BISD resource guide. Any formal complaints regarding sexual harassment may be submitted through this form  or by mail, e-mail, phone, or in person to:

Kristen Haizlip 
8489 Madison Avenue NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
206-780-1058
khaizlip@bisd303.org

Sexual Harassment Education Videos

A group of community leaders came together in 2022 to help educate our community about sexual assault through a series of public service announcements. Speakers are from Bainbridge Youth Services, Bainbridge Island School District, Bainbridge Island Police Department, and Virginia Mason, and each speaks to its roles and responsibilities when a sexual assault allegation is made. While each organization has a different role and varying legal obligations and constraints, they each play an important role in supporting the survivors of sexual assault.

Additional Resources: