SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – A transgender student was allegedly harassed by another student during the 2017-18 school year at a high school within the Tamalpais Union High School District.
For more, stream KCBS Radio now.
An investigation has found that the school failed to address the issue adequately and violated Title IX, and must now undergo a series of changes and resolutions, according to a letter sent to the school district superintendent last week by the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
"As a result of the District's failures, the harassment continued and the Student continued to experience a hostile environment on the basis of sex in violation of Title IX until the Student graduated," said the letter.
The student, in the spring of 2017, came out as a transgender girl and her preferred female name was disclosed to the rest of the students by the school's guidance counselor, according to the letter.
The following fall, the victim was enrolled in a class with a male student who harassed her throughout the year, mispronouncing her preferred female name or calling her by her former male name, and making fun of her voice, among other things.
Despite the victim's mother reporting the issue to the guidance counselor, the administration did not take action. Eventually, this led to a verbal altercation between the victim and the bully in 2018 which prompted the administration to investigate.
However, the Department of Education determined in their own investigation that the school district, "permitted the Student to be subjected to a hostile environment that denied or limited her ability to participate in or benefit from the District’s program on the basis of sex," said a resolution filed by the Office of Civil Rights last week.
"OCR also found that the District's investigation of an incident between the Student and another student, while prompt, did not adequately or equitably investigate if sex-based harassment preceded the incident," said the resolution. "The Agreement is designed to remedy these violations and ensure prompt and equitable responses to notice of sex-based harassment going forward through effective policies, procedures, guidance, training, and monitoring."
Federal officials will monitor the district's progress in making these changes.
By Sept. 30 this year, the district will review its policies on how Title IX complaints are reported and received, draft updated policies and develop and submit new guidance for employees on how to handle Title IX complaints.
By June 1 next year, the district will need to develop and implement training for employees to go through on Title IX procedures.
The district is also required to pay the victim and her family up to $5,000 to compensate for any therapy or support needed after the sex-based harassment began.
DOWNLOAD the Audacy App
SIGN UP and follow KCBS Radio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
