Hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with and disruptive to the educational process, and prohibited at any time in school facilities, on school property, and/or off school property if the misconduct is connected to activities or incidents that have occurred on school property. No administrator, faculty member, or other Board of Education employee shall encourage, permit, authorize, condone, or tolerate any hazing activities. No student shall plan, encourage, or engage in any hazing.

Hazing is defined as performing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to perform any act of initiation into any class, team, or organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm. Permission, consent, or assumption of risk by an individual subjected to hazing shall not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy.

Administrators, faculty members, and other employees of the Board shall be attentive to possible situations, circumstances, or events that might involve hazing. All suspected or known hazing incidents shall be reported immediately to the Superintendent. Students, administrators, faculty members, and other employees who fail to abide by this policy will be subject to disciplinary action and may be held personally liable for civil and criminal penalties in accordance with law.

This policy will be incorporated into building, staff, and student handbooks which shall be distributed to all students and Board employees.

It will also be discussed with students and staff on an annual basis.

R.C. 2307.44, 2903.31, 3313.661