All instances of suspected HIB should be reported to the school’s principal or assistant principal. This can be done in person, over the phone, by email or by submitting the official HIB Reporting form to the school’s main office. 

A report of suspected HIB will start an investigation of the incident. The following takes place during an investigation: 

• Both parties (alleged target and alleged aggressor) will be interviewed. 
• A representative group of witnesses (identified by both alleged target and alleged aggressor) will be interviewed. 
• Any evidence available of the incident (video, social media posts, written notes, etc.) will be reviewed. 
• A review of any past incidents of conflict between the two parties involved will take place. 

After the investigation, the administrator will notify the parent/guardian of both the alleged target and alleged aggressor with the outcome of the investigation. The investigation could conclude: 

• This was an incident of HIB, the aggressor will face corrective action (discipline) according to Policy and Procedure 3240 and 3240P 
• This incident was not an incident of HIB (unfounded) however did violate a different school or district rule. The aggressor will face corrective action (discipline) according to Policy and Procedure 3240 and 3240P 
• The incident was “unfounded.” There was insufficient evidence to determine the incident occurred. Actions may still be needed however no discipline will occur.  

Note: The school is not allowed to discipline students for HIB that occurs outside of school that has no direct connection to events at school, however, the school will still help address the issue so the impact at school will be lessened.  

After the conclusion of the investigation, an emphasis will be placed on having all parties be able to successfully attend school together.

• A plan may be needed to identify what specific supports are needed.
• Mediation will sometimes take place if both students are agreeable.
• Steps to limit contact during school may be made.

Since every incident of HIB is different there is no one plan that works every time.

If your student is determined to be the aggressor in a HIB investigation, then regular school discipline appeals processes apply. Please review Policy and Procedure 3241 and 3241P for a complete guide. In most cases, this starts with an appeal directly to the school’s principal.  

If your student is the alleged target and it is determined this is an unfounded incident and you wish to appeal you would appeal this to the HIB Compliance Officer for the district, please contact Randy Heath at (253) 373-7235. You may wish to have a conversation with the school principal first to get a better understanding of why it was unfounded and what steps they plan to take.    

Harassment, intimidation and/or bullying based on a protected class such as gender, race, religion, disability and/or sexual orientation will be thoroughly investigated under our Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure 3205 and 3205P or our Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedure 3210 and 3210P. If you feel this may be the case when making the report, please indicate to the school administrator that you believe the harassment may fall under one of these two categories.  

The complainant has the option of using an informal process for resolution of the harassment of a formal process. If the complainant starts with the informal process and the issue cannot be resolved, then at any point they can ask that it be moved to a formal process.  

All KSD Board policies and procedures are available on BoardDocs. 

• 3205 and 3205P – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited 
• 3207 and 3207P – Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying 
• 3210 and 3210P – Nondiscrimination 
• 3211 and 3211P – Transgender Students
• 3240 and 3240P – Student Conduct Expectations and Reasonable Sanctions
• 3241 and 3241P – Classroom management, Discipline and Corrective Actions