Harassment, Intimidation, & Bullying

ESD 113 is committed to a safe and civil educational environment that is free from the harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB) of any student while participating in any ESD 113 student program. RCW 28A.600.477 states "Harassment, intimidation, or bullying means any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act including, but not limited to, one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in RCW 28A.640.010 and 28A.642.010, or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act:

• Physically harms a student or damages the student’s property;
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education;
• Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
• Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school."

Policy 3207 and Procedure 3207P apply to ESD 113 student service programs when students participate in service programs or ESD 113 sponsored events at an ESD 113 program site. Actions that take place while students are being transported to an ESD 113 program via a student’s resident district transportation department are addressed by that district’s policies and procedures.

HIB Compliance Officer

The HIB Compliance Officer for ESD 113 is Steve Bigelow, Executive Director—Integrated Student Support & Special Programs. Steve receives copies of all HIB complaints and ensures that ESD 113 policy is followed. He also supports ESD 113 program administrators in resolving HIB complaints by ensuring that investigations and follow-up actions are prompt, impartial, and thorough. Steve can be reached at HIB@esd113.org, 360-464-6732, or through the HIB general inquiry form. HIB program contacts for Expedition Behavioral Education (including Olympic Academy and Summit Academy) and Gravity Learning Centers can be reached through the HIB general inquiry form.

Reporting Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying

You may report concerns regarding harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB) directly to the program administrator(s) or any staff member at any ESD 113 program. They should make attempts to address the concerns. If the concerns are addressed to the satisfaction of the parties involved, then no further action may be necessary.

However, if you feel that you or someone you know is the victim of unresolved, severe, or persistent harassment, intimidation, or bullying, and it requires further investigation and action, then complete the HIB Incident Report Form:

Report an HIB Incident

If you need assistance completing this form or would prefer to report verbally, please contact the ESD 113 HIB Compliance Officer, Steve Bigelow, Executive Director—Integrated Student Support & Special Programs, at sbigelow@esd113.org to obtain assistance or schedule time to make a verbal report.

Please note: The intent of this form is to report student-to-student interactions. If there is a complaint about a staff member, please contact ESD 113 Human Resources at hr@esd113.org to make a report. There are three ways you can make a report:

• Anonymously: Individuals may file a report without revealing their identity. No action will be taken against an alleged aggressor based solely on an anonymous report. Possible responses to an anonymous report include enhanced monitoring of specific locations at certain times of day or increased monitoring of specific students or staff. (Example: An unsigned Incident Reporting Form dropped on a teacher’s desk led to the increased monitoring of the boys’ locker room in fifth period.)
• Confidentially: Individuals may ask that their identities be kept secret from the accused and other students. Like anonymous reports, no action will be taken against an alleged aggressor based solely on a confidential report. (Example: A student tells a playground supervisor about a classmate being bullied but asks that nobody know who reported the incident. The supervisor says, “I won’t be able to punish the bullies unless you or someone else who saw it is willing to let me use their names, but I can start hanging out near the basketball court if that would help.”)
• Non-confidentially: Individuals may agree to file a report non-confidentially. Complainants agreeing to make their complaint non-confidential will be informed that due process requirements may require that ESD 113 release all of the information that it has regarding the complaint to any individuals involved in the incident, but that even then, information will still be restricted to those with a need to know, both during and after the investigation. ESD 113 will, however, fully implement the anti-retaliation provision of this policy and procedure to protect complainants and witnesses.