72-8256. Bullying, school district policies.

72-8256

Chapter 72.--SCHOOLS
Article 82.--ORGANIZATION, POWERS AND FINANCES OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION

      72-8256.   Bullying, school districtpolicies.(a) As used in this section:

      (1)   "Bullying" means: (A) Any intentional gesture or any intentional written,verbal, electronic orphysical act or threat that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasivethat it creates an intimidating,threatening or abusive educational environment for a student or staff memberthat a reasonableperson, under the circumstances, knows or should know will have the effect of:

      (i)   Harming a student or staff member, whether physically or mentally;

      (ii)   damaging a student's or staff member's property;

      (iii)   placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of harm to thestudent or staffmember; or

      (iv)   placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of damage to thestudent's or staffmember's property;

      (B)   cyberbullying; or

      (C)   any other form of intimidation or harassment prohibitedby the board ofeducation of theschool district in policies concerning bullying adopted pursuant to thissection or subsection (e) of K.S.A. 72-8205, and amendments thereto.

      (2)   "Cyberbullying" means bullying by use of any electronic communicationdevice through means including, but not limited to, e-mail, instant messaging,text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, online games and websites.

      (3)   "School vehicle" means any school bus, school van,other school vehicleand private vehicle used to transport students or staff members to and fromschool or any school-sponsored activityor event.

      (b)   The board of education of each school district shall adopt a policy toprohibit bullying onor while utilizing school property, in a school vehicle or at aschool-sponsored activity orevent.

      (c)   The board of education of each school district shall adopt and implementa planto address bullying on school property, in a school vehicle or at aschool-sponsored activity or event. Such plan shall includeprovisions for the training and education forstaff members and students.

      (d)   The board of education of each school district may adopt additionalpolicies relating tobullying pursuant to subsection (e) of K.S.A. 72-8205, and amendments thereto.

      History:   L. 2007, ch. 185, § 4;L. 2008, ch. 77, § 1; July 1.