Report a Concern

The Sioux Falls School District believes that a valuable element of education is the development of respect for all individuals and seeks to provide equal access/equal opportunity for students, employees, and the public to District programs and activities.

In an effort to provide a safe, respectful educational environment, the District prohibits discrimination in its policies, employment practices, programs, and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, disability, national origin or ancestry, military/veteran status, genetic information or any other category protected by law. The District prohibits acts of discrimination toward any individual(s) while on District property or at District-sponsored activities. Additionally, the District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying you should immediately report the alleged acts to the building principal, the department director, or the Civil Rights Officer. The District will investigate all reports of harassment/discrimination, bullying, or other allegations harmful to the school environment. For more information see the links on this page or click on the tabs for more information on a specific topic.

Brett Arenz

Civil Rights Officer

✆ (605) 367-4670

Equal Opportunity/Non-discrimination

Students

Complaint Investigation Form

Staff

Complaint Investigation Form

Public

Persons wishing to submit official complaints or concerns relating to the School District, its policies, personnel, programs, or instructional materials should begin at the level closest to the source of the complaint.

Complaint Investigation Form

Harassment based on Sex (Title IX)

Title IX prohibits sex-based harassment by peers, employees, or third parties that is sufficiently serious to deny or limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the recipient’s education programs and activities. This is what is called a hostile environment. Title IX prohibits several types of sex-based harassment.

Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Sexual violence is a form of sexual harassment and refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent.

Gender-based harassment is another form of sex-based harassment and refers to unwelcome conduct based on an individual’s gender, and not necessarily involving conduct of a sexual nature. For example, harassing conduct which focuses on a student’s failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity.

The harassing conduct may take many forms, including verbal acts and name-calling, as well as nonverbal behavior, such as graphic and written statements, or conduct that is physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating. The more severe the conduct the more likely the incident has to create a hostile environment.

Title IX protects all students from sex-based harassment, regardless of the sex of the alleged perpetrator or complainant, including when they are members of the same sex. All students are protected.