Q: Are all incidents of student-to-student sexual harassment, regardless of disciplinary action taken, reported to the area superintendent?
- Sally Smythe, Holly Springs

A: Wake County Public Schools’ policy states that allegations of sexual harassment will be investigated by the school’s principal. Depending on what he or she finds, it could go before the area superintendent.

A student who brings a complaint of sexual harassment and is not satisfied with the preventative measures implemented by the school principal can appeal in writing to the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator is the assistant superintendent for student services or designee and can be reached at 919-850-1600.

When an incident of sexual harassment by an employee is reported at school, the policy states the complaint will be investigated by the Wake County Public Schools' assistant superintendent for human resources:

Final appeals of sexual harassment by a student or an employee are made to the Board of Education.

Here is some more information, according to the school system's policies:

Sexual Harassment:
“A student who believes that he/she has suffered sexual harassment by another student may report the matter in writing to the school principal. Any teacher or other school employee who receives from a student a report (oral or written) of alleged sexual harassment by another student shall immediately report the same to the school principal. Failure by the employee to do so may subject the employee to disciplinary action. Upon receipt of a report of sexual harassment by a student, the school principal shall notify the Title IX Coordinator and any other appropriate person as required by law and Board Policy 3033/2333. The school principal shall also investigate the complaint and, if the complaint proves to be supported by evidence, take appropriate action regarding any necessary disciplinary and preventative measures.”

Reporting Information to the Principal and External Agencies:
“Any principal who has personal knowledge or actual notice from school personnel that an act has occurred on school property involving assault resulting in serious personal injury, sexual assault, sexual offense, rape, kidnapping, indecent liberties with a minor, assault involving the use of a weapon, possession of a firearm or other weapon in violation of the law, possession of a controlled substance in violation of the law, death by other than natural causes, robbery with or without a dangerous weapon, or assault on a school official, employee or volunteer not resulting in serious injury, shall immediately report the act to the appropriate law enforcement agency. ‘Immediately’ means without undue delay and as soon as possible after the act has occurred.”
- Kelly

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