• Title IX Prohibits Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence in Public Schools

  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX"), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. All public and private elementary and secondary schools, school districts, colleges, and universities (hereinafter "schools") receiving any Federal funds must comply with Title IX. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment or sexual violence, such as rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion.

    Federal law requires that schools have and distribute a policy that prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex and acts of sexual violence. In compliance with Title IX, it is the policy of the Henry County School District to maintain a learning and work environment free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, and disability. The Henry County Board of Education adopted Policy JCAC that defines sexual harassment, and outlines the policies and procedures that the District follows in identifying, investigating, and responding to allegations of sexual harassment.

    The Student and Parent Handbook contains Policy JCAC, which defines sexual harassment, and can be found on the District’s website at: 
    https://www.henry.k12.ga.us/Page/140952

    Policy JCAC, which defines sexual harassment, may be found in the Henry County Board Policies on the District’s website found at:
    https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Policy/ViewPolicy.aspx?S=4088&revid=pks012NY0VLaEhgr4bBeHw==&ptid=amIgTZiB9plushNjl6WXhfiOQ==&secid=&isPndg=&PG=6

    Regulation JCAC, which outlines the grievance process for formal complaints of sexual harassment, may be found in the Henry County Board Policies on the District’s website found at:
    https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Policy/ViewPolicy.aspx?S=4088&revid=rK27WzcW4TDWrK7nKQJObg==&ptid=amIgTZiB9plushNjl6WXhfiOQ==&secid=&isPndg=&PG=6.

    NOTE: The intent of this Policy/Regulation is to comply with Title IX law concerning sex-based discrimination and sex-based/sexual harassment. On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education released a new rule related to discrimination and harassment in schools, and on August 22, 2024 a Federal Court over Georgia issued an Opinion on that rule. If there are any inconsistencies between our current policy, procedures, or practices and the new federal rule or court decisions, the law will take precedence. Any conflicting practices will not be implemented.

    Students, employees, and third parties may direct complaints and claims of Sexual Harassment to the Principal of their school who is designated as the school’s Title IX Coordinator.

    District Level Complaints of Sexual Harassment may be directed to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, Summer Cox, at 33 N. Zack Hinton Parkway, McDonough, Georgia  30253 or by calling 770-957-6601.

    District Complaints that involve gender discrimination in sports and athletic programs should be directed to the District’s Sport’s Equity Coordinator, Mary Ann Suddeth, at 33 N. Zack Hinton Parkway, McDonough, Georgia 30253 or by calling 770-957-7189.

     

  • It is the policy of Board to maintain an environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and, harassment on the basis of sex. The Henry County Board of Education (the “Board”) does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates. The Board is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681, et seq.) and its regulations (34 C.F.R. § 106.8) not to discriminate in such a manner. The requirement not to discriminate in the education program or activity extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations to the Board may be referred to the Board’s Title IX Coordinators, the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education, or both.  Retaliation against individuals who file complaints of alleged sexual harassment or those who assist in the investigation of complaints of alleged sexual harassment is expressly prohibited.