Section VII: Prohibition Against Bullying and Retaliation

The Taunton Public Schools does not tolerate unlawful or disruptive behavior, including bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation, in school buildings and grounds, on school buses, or in school activities. The district investigates reports and complaints of bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation, and takes prompt action to end that behavior and restore the target’s sense of safety.

Acts of bullying, which include cyberbullying, are prohibited:

• on school grounds and property immediately adjacent to school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function, or program whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased, or used by a school district or school; or through the use of technology or an electronic device owned, leased, or used by a school district or school, and
• at a location, activity, function, or program that is not school-related through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by a school district or school, if the act creates a hostile environment at school for the target or witnesses, infringes on their rights at school, or materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school

Retaliation against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or witnesses or has reliable information about bullying is also prohibited.

As stated in M.G.L. c.71 §37O, nothing in this Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan requires the district or school to staff any non-school-related activities, functions, or programs.