SOUTHERN TIOGA SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
I. PURPOSE
Southern Tioga School District is committed to assuring a work and educational environment free of unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, or sex. It is imperative that all employees, students and vendors of Southern Tioga School District comply with both the spirit and intent of federal, state and local laws, government regulations and court orders which prohibit unlawful discrimination. In addition, all administrators, faculty, staff and students share a continuing responsibility to behave in a manner which ensures a work and educational environment that is free of unlawful discrimination.
The Southern Tioga School District is committed to the maintenance of a safe, positive learning environment for all students that is free from discrimination by providing all students course offerings, counseling, assistance, services, employment, athletics and extracurricular activities without any form of discrimination, including Title IX sexual harassment. Discrimination is inconsistent with the rights of students and the educational and programmatic goals of the district and is prohibited at or, in the course of, district-sponsored programs or activities, including transportation to or from school or school-sponsored activities.
II. POLICY
It is the policy of Southern Tioga School District to ensure a work and educational environment free of unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, or sex, including sexual harassment. In accordance with state and federal laws including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1604 of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 and 11375, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and all other applicable legislation, Southern Tioga School District prohibits and will not tolerate unlawful discrimination on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veterans status or other factors.
Conduct will be deemed discriminatory in accordance with and as defined in applicable state and federal statutes and case law decisions. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome gender related behavior, including unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
- Submission to such conduct is made either an explicit or implicit term or condition of an individual’s employment or education;
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individuals; or
- Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working, education or living environment.
The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights further defines sexual harassment as verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, imposed on the basis of sex, by an employee or agent of a recipient of federal funds that denies, limits, provides different, or conditions provision of aid, benefits, services, or treatment protected under Title IX.
The Title IX Coordinator for the Southern Tioga School District is Superintendent Samuel A. Rotella, Jr. located at 310 Morris Street. Blossburg, PA 16912. Mr. Rotella can be reached at 570-618-2183 and his email address is srotella@southerntioga.org.
All inquiries concerning the application of Title IX should be referred to the Title IX Coordinator.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES
Southern Tioga School District is responsible for educating all of its students, faculty and staff about what constitutes unlawful discrimination or harassment and what steps will be taken to resolve complaints.
Each manager, director, department chairperson, faculty person and/or administrative officer is responsible within his/her respective area for the implementation, dissemination and explanation of this policy. Assistance in implementation, dissemination and explanation may be obtained by contacting the district’s Compliance Officer.
Files & Documents
- Anti Harassment Statement
- Policy #248 – Unlawful Harassment
- Policy 103 Nondiscrimination in School and Classroom Practices
Title IX Training Materials
Title IX Coordinators
310 Morris St.
Blossburg, PA 16912
Sam Rotella, Jr.
570-404-1664
Gina Van Gorden
570-638-2183
