Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Acts

Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Acts

The Board of Education is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all students in the school district.  The commission of hate crimes and bias incidents committed on school grounds or at school related activities can lead to further violence and retaliation.  Hate crimes and bias incidents are a direct attack upon the racial, religious, and ethnic heritage of the school community and will not be tolerated by or within the school district. School district employees will work closely with local law enforcement and the county prosecutor’s office to report or eliminate the commission of hate crimes and bias incidents.

Definition of Hate Speech

Hate speech is defined as abusive or threatening speech or writing that expresses prejudice against a particular group on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, affectational or sexual orientation or sex.

Definition of Hate Crime

A hate crime is any suspected or confirmed offense or unlawful act which is directed at or occurs to a person, private property, or public property on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, affectational or sexual orientation or sex.  An offense is bias-based and thus constitutes a hate crime if the motive for the commission of the offense or unlawful act is racial, religious, ethnic or pertains to affectational or sexual orientation or sex.

Consequences

• One to nine days Out of School Suspension
• Immediate notification to the Blairstown Police Department and county prosecutor's office.