Caprock Academy Harassment/Non-Discrimination Policy
It is Caprock Academy's policy not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity it operates or in employment. In accordance with our charter, Caprock Academy will not make any distinction on account of the disability, race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or ancestry of any student who seeks admission.
Please contact our Head of School with any questions, concerns, or to receive additional information.
Policy SE 27.0 – Harassment/Non-Discrimination Policy
Caprock Academy Charter School (“Caprock Academy”) is committed to providing a safe learning and work environment where all members of Caprock Academy are treated with dignity and respect. It is critical to this commitment that anyone who may have experienced discrimination or harassment in the context of the school’s educational programs, activities, or employment can report their concerns without fear of retaliation. Caprock Academy will adhere to all applicable federal and state definitions.
This policy is designed to foster a climate that provides preventative measures and encourages the reporting of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation. The school administrators will engage in prevention efforts, train the school community, respond to all complaints promptly, provide supportive measures, and develop fair and equitable processes to investigate and address complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and ensure all parties are treated fairly and impartially.
This policy defines prohibited conduct and guides individuals to the specific policy governing the applicable reporting and response processes. Complaints of harassment or discrimination against a student and complaints of bullying against a student based on membership in a protected class should be made pursuant to the school’s Harassment and Discrimination Investigation Procedures. Complaints under Title IX should be made under the school’s Sex-based Harassment Investigation Procedures Policy.
Trish Mahre Title IX Compliance Officer Mahre & Mahre Attorneys at Law Phone: 970-270-5055 Email: Trish@mahrelaw.com Title IX Complaint Form Link: Sexual Harassment (Title IX) Complaint FormSupportive measures and prompt response times are required components of all policies.
Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Prohibited
Discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on a protected class are prohibited at Caprock Academy, as well as at any school-sponsored or school-sanctioned activity or event on school property (or off school property when such conduct is connected to the school) or at any school curricular or non-curricular activity or event. Retaliation for reporting harassment or for participating in any way in an investigation of harassment or discrimination is also prohibited.
School Action
Caprock Academy encourages anyone, students, parents and family members, volunteers, educators, or staff members—who witness bullying, harassment, discrimination, or retaliation to report the conduct by making a complaint in accordance with the appropriate Board policy. All school staff who witness or receive complaints of harassment or discrimination are required to promptly share any such complaints with the Compliance Officer or their designee (“hereafter referred to as “Compliance Office”).
Caprock Academy will take appropriate action to promptly and impartially investigate allegations of discrimination and harassment, to end unlawful behavior, to prevent the recurrence of such behavior, and to prevent retaliation against the individual who files the complaint and/or any person who participates in the investigation. When appropriate, the school will take additional action during the investigation to protect against further discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
To the extent possible, all complaints of discrimination and harassment will be kept confidential. Students or employees who knowingly file false complaints or make false statements in an investigation may be subject to discipline in accordance with Board policies as well as state and federal law. No student, employee, or member of the public may be subject to adverse treatment in retaliation for any good faith complaint of harassment or discrimination under this policy. Upon determining that incidents of discrimination or harassment are occurring in particular school settings or activities, Caprock Academy will implement measures designed to stop discrimination or harassment and otherwise remedy the problem in those areas or activities.
Any student or employee who engages in discrimination or harassment will be disciplined according to applicable Board policies as well as state and federal law. This includes the protections afforded to students with disabilities. Caprock Academy will take reasonable action to restore lost educational or employment opportunities to the complainant(s) and others impacted.
The Compliance Officer will refer any potential criminal charges to law enforcement.
Notice and Training
To reduce unlawful discrimination and harassment and ensure a respectful school environment, the administration provides notice of this policy to all Caprock Academy staff and students provided via physical copy to each incoming staff member, student and their parent or guardian upon request. Community training materials regarding sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment (Title IX) are available to the public on Caprock Academy’s website. Developmentally appropriate instruction related to harassment, discrimination, and bullying will be delivered to all Caprock Academy students as part of the anti-bullying program.
Students and employees will receive periodic training related to recognizing and preventing unlawful discrimination and harassment. Caprock Academy employees must receive additional training related to handling reports of unlawful discrimination and harassment. The training will include, but not be limited to:
- awareness of groups protected under state and federal law and/or targeted groups;
- how to recognize and react to unlawful discrimination and harassment; and
- proven harassment prevention strategies.