Discrimination and Harassment of Employees

Discrimination and Harassment Report Form

If you believe you are, or have been, subject to conduct in violation of the Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment of Employees (see below) - which includes sexual harassment - or witness or otherwise become aware of such conduct, you are expected to report that information either verbally or in writing. It is the policy of the district to promptly and thoroughly investigate such reports.

If you wish to make a written report, you may use the form linked below to do so. If you are more comfortable reporting verbally or in another manner, you may do so.

Compliance Officers

Any questions by employees of the district about the Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment of Employees (see below) or potential harassment or discrimination should be brought to the attention of one of the district’s compliance officers. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the district’s compliance officers are listed below.

  • Robert Van Keuren, Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Title IX Officer
    400 Lake Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
    (607) 795-6025
    rvankeur@icsd.k12.ny.us 

  • Mary Grover, Assistant Superintendent of Inclusion
    400 Lake Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
    (607) 274-2134
    mary.grover@icsd.k12.ny.us

  • Gladira Velazquez Cruz, Assistant Director of Human Resources
    400 Lake Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
    (607) 274-2134
    gladira.velazquez@icsd.k12.ny.us

Additional Supports and Resources

Local Organizations

Advocacy Center - Local, 24-Hour Support
(607) 277-5000 | actompkins.org

Victim support agencies, such as the Advocacy Center, are able to offer confidential support and services to teens with or without parent or legal guardian permission. Advocacy Center staff can help students think through their options, provide emotional support, share information about health and legal rights, and assist students if they want to talk with family, schools, police officers, employers, or other agencies. Learn more at actompkins.org.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Free, Confidential Assistance
(315) 471-1362 | ocmboces.org/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=548

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, voluntary, and confidential consultation and assistance to help employees and their immediate family members resolve difficulties that may be affecting their personal life or job performance. EAP services include initial evaluation and assessment, treatment planning, short-term counseling (up to six sessions), referrals to outside resources, and follow-up.

Title IX Resources

For cases of sexual harassment, employees may also engage the Title IX process. If you have any questions, please contact Robert Van Keuren, the district's Title IX Officer, at (607) 274-2138 or rvankeur@icsd.k12.ny.us.

9110.3 Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment of Employees

The Ithaca City School District believes in the dignity of the individual and recognizes the rights of all people to equal employment opportunities in the workplace. In this regard, the Ithaca City School District, (hereinafter “district”), is committed to protecting and safeguarding the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without subjugation to harassment or discrimination in the workplace. It is the district’s policy to provide an employment environment free from harassment and discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, gender, religion, religious creed, sex, familial or marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, medical conditions, genetic information/predisposition or carrier status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, self-identified or perceived sex, gender expression, gender identity and the status of being transgender, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions and including medical conditions related to lactation), citizenship, prior arrest or conviction record except as permitted by law, domestic violence victim status or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to all district employees and all personnel in a contractual or other business relationship with the district including, for example, applicants, temporary or leased employees, interns (whether paid or unpaid), volunteers, visitors, independent contractors, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, consultants or other persons providing services pursuant to a contract in the workplace, including employees of independent contractors, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, consultants, or others providing services pursuant to a contract in the workplace. In the remainder of this policy, the term “employees” refers to this collective group. This policy applies with equal force on district property as it does at district-sponsored events, programs, and activities that take place off district premises.

Policy Objectives

By adopting and publishing this policy, it is the intention of the district’s Board of Education to:

  • Notify employees about the types of conduct that constitute harassment and discrimination prohibited by this policy;

  • Inform employees about the complaint and investigation procedures established by the district that enable any employee who believes they are the victim of harassment or discrimination to submit a complaint which will be investigated by the district;

  • Clearly advise all supervisory staff, administrators, and employees that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are strictly prohibited and no such person possesses the authority to harass, discriminate, or retaliate; and

  • Notify all employees that the district has appointed compliance officers who are specifically designated to receive complaints and ensure compliance with this policy. 

NOTE: The names and office locations of each compliance officer designated to receive and investigate complaints are listed below at the end of this policy. Any change in the designated compliance officers shall be distributed in writing through the Annual Notices to all current employees and shall be posted.

Upon the effective date of this policy, as revised, the provisions of this policy shall supersede and replace the following prior district policies and regulations regarding employee discrimination and harassment: 
9110.3 Sexual Harassment Policy (2018)