Sexual Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct and Title IX

Howard County Public Schools is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is free from sexual discrimination. HCPSS prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in its educational programs, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, and in the workplace as required by law.

Sexual Discrimination includes sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual violence, and is characterized as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that interferes with a student’s ability to learn, study, work, achieve or participate in school activities, or with an employee’s term, condition or privilege of employment/relationship with the school system. Sexual discrimination can be committed by a student, employee or third party.

More information can be found in Board of Education Policy 1020 Sexual Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct.

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and 1975 states that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of gender, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity that receives federal financial assistance.

Title IX applies to students, school employees, or anyone present on school campus regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status or disability status. It includes all of a school’s operations including school-sponsored activities.

Reporting Sexual Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct

Students who file a sexual discrimination report may do so orally or in writing with a teacher, school counselor, school-based administrator or HCPSS Title IX Coordinator, or through the Reporting Form provided below. All such reports must be filed with or forwarded to the Title IX coordinator who will oversee and support the investigation. Action will be taken promptly in accordance with established procedures.

School system employees or third parties who file a sexual discrimination complaint must do so with the Title IX coordinator or with a school-based administrator or supervisor as appropriate. The Title IX coordinator will oversee and support the investigation.

Reports of conduct that meets the definition of sexual harassment under Title IX will be addressed in accordance with the US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights Final Rule Amending Title IX Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106).

Contact

Howard County Public School System, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042

HCPSS Title IX Coordinator
TitleIXCoordinator@hcpss.org

T. Michael Carson, HCPSS Human Resources Executive Officer

Online Reporting

For Students to report sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct:

Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting

Downloadable Forms

For Students:

Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting PDF Form

For Employees/Third Party:

Sexual Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Form
Return the form to your supervisor or the HCPSS EEO Compliance and Investigations Officer.

Personnel Training Materials

HCPSS has made publicly available the training materials used to train the district’s Title IX Coordinator and other personnel involved in administering Title IX policy: