TO: Alpine Union School District Families, Students, and Employees
FROM: Dr. Rich Newman, Superintendent
RE: Harassment and Bullying
I am sending this important notice to all families, students and employees, as a reminder that there is no place for
harassment or bullying in our schools, activities and programs. The Alpine Union School District is committed to providing
a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the District’s academic,
extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities. To accomplish this, our schools,
activities and programs must be free from harassment or bullying, targeted at any student by anyone, based on the
student’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group
identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual
orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or association with a person or group with
one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
I understand that sending a reminder such as this will not stop harassment and bullying from occurring. There may also
be times when harassment and bullying is occurring, but the District or school site administration is unaware of it. We
can, however, each take steps to reduce the likelihood of such actions occurring within our District. And we must be clear
that, when harassment or bullying does occur, it will be promptly and effectively addressed.
If a student, or a student's parent or guardian, believes they have been subjected to harassment or bullying, or
that they have witnessed others being subjected to harassment or bullying, including based on race, color, or
national origin, we strongly encourage them to promptly come forward by reporting that information. They can
report it to any District employee, such as their teacher, counselor or instructional aide, as well as their principal or the
District administration. Upon receiving such a report, the District will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation to stop
any harassment or bullying, as well as to take appropriate corrective actions to prevent its recurrence and address its
effects. It is not necessary to file a formal written complaint for us to take these responsive actions, although once
receiving the report, we will encourage and provide any assistance necessary to help complete a written complaint.
Complaints of student harassment and bullying are investigated according to our Uniform Complaint Procedures. You can
find those in Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 1312.3, which can be found on the District’s website:
https://www.alpineschools.net/o/ausd/page/board-policies-administrative-regulations. All such complaints will be
investigated within 60 calendar days, unless an extension is needed and agreed upon. In addition, pursuant to the
District’s Uniform Complaint Procedures, the District will provide written notice of the outcome of any such complaint that
is filed, including any complaints alleging harassment, bullying, or discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national
origin. The District's compliance officer for investigating and resolving complaints of harassment or bullying is:
Yvette Maier
Executive Director of Human Resources and Student Services
2001 Tavern Road, Alpine, CA 91901
(619) 445-0802
ymaier@alpineschools.net
The District will take appropriate corrective or disciplinary actions when it is found that individuals have engaged in
harassment or bullying. Such discipline may include counseling, training and/or suspension or expulsion of a student.
Employees may also be subject to corrective action, including termination of employment, if they engage in, fail to report
or otherwise fail to take appropriate responsive actions to address harassment or bullying. The corrective action will be
reasonably calculated to end the harassment or bullying, eliminate any hostile environment that has been created, prevent
its recurrence, and, where appropriate, remedy the effects on the student who was harassed or bullied.
Retaliation against any person making a report or participating in an investigation of a harassment/bullying complaint,
including harassment or bullying on the basis of race, color, or national origin is strictly prohibited. Allegations that
students and/or employees have engaged in such retaliation will be promptly investigated and appropriately addressed.
I appreciate your attention to this important topic. If each of us takes this seriously, we can live up to our commitment to
provide a school environment free from harassment and bullying.