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Portland board begins first reads of updated nondiscrimination and harassment policies; anonymous-reporting clause retained

November 05, 2025 | Portland Public Schools, School Districts, Maine

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Portland board begins first reads of updated nondiscrimination and harassment policies; anonymous-reporting clause retained
The Portland Public Schools Board of Education at its 2025-11-04 meeting conducted first readings of updated policy AC (nondiscrimination and equal opportunity) and ACAA/ACAB (harassment and discrimination for students and employees). Staff said the edits align district language with current federal guidance, including Title IX-related definitions, and add pregnancy and familial status to the list of protected categories.

Doctor Warren presented the policy changes and noted the edits are primarily definitional to bring district language into conformity with current law. "The changes here have to do with changes that occurred in the law, and we need to align, in terms of the definitions of protected status or protected categories," Doctor Warren said.

The policy committee debated a paragraph in the harassment policies that encourages an anonymous, informal reporting mechanism. Attorneys had suggested removing that paragraph because anonymous informal reports can complicate formal investigations; the committee voted to keep the anonymous-reporting language in the policies and forwarded the drafts to the full board for first reading. Staff said the anonymous option applies only to informal reports; formal investigations require an identified reporter so HR can interview witnesses and gather facts.

Student representative Lee asked whether the legal suggestion to remove the anonymous-reporting paragraph related to federal regulations. Staff responded the suggestion was driven by investigative practicality rather than a legal requirement and clarified the policy committee's decision to retain the paragraph.

These are first reads only; no policy votes were taken. Staff also provided procedures (R-code procedures) for committee reference and said final adoption will return to the board after additional review.

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Scribe from Workplace AI
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