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North Kingstown advances new Title IX policy and makes technical change to anti‑harassment rule
Summary
The committee voted July 29 to adopt a Title IX policy tied to new state/federal guidance effective Aug. 1 and to revise the district’s anti‑harassment policy to clarify which incidents remain governed by the old rules.
The North Kingstown School Committee voted July 29 to move forward with a new Title IX policy intended to comply with updated guidance that takes effect Aug. 1 and to modify the district’s broader anti‑harassment (ACB) policy to cover incidents that occurred before that date.
Attorney Andrew Henness briefed the committee on the legal need to keep the prior Title IX procedures in place for incidents that occurred before Aug. 1, saying the district must retain those procedures while applying the new template to incidents on or after that date. "Anything ... that occurred before August 1 will still be dealt with under the old policy," Henness said.
Members reviewed two templates — one that includes gender and pregnancy protections and one that does not — and the committee proceeded with the version that includes gender and pregnancy language after discussion. Committee members also debated whether to combine the new Title IX template with the district’s current anti‑harassment policy or to keep them separate and then remerge later; the group agreed to pass the Title IX document now so the district would be in compliance with the Aug. 1 effective date and to return to the broader consolidation question later.
The committee discussed reporting methods and supportive measures in detail. The district’s online reporting form will remain the primary intake method so reports route correctly to the Title IX coordinator, but members agreed to allow alternative options, including phone contact with the Title IX coordinator or a designated confidential employee, to accommodate people without online access. Henness described the confidential‑employee option as a way for people to get support and access services without immediately filing a formal Title IX complaint.
On investigatory timelines, the committee endorsed recommended benchmarks: an initial evaluation by the Title IX coordinator as soon as possible and no later than seven days, full investigations generally completed within 60 days and a 10‑day review period for parties to respond to evidence. The committee also accepted a proposed records and training retention period of seven years.
Jennifer Lima moved to advance the Title IX draft and to modify ACB to note the old policy remains applicable to incidents occurring before Aug. 1. Both motions were seconded and approved by voice vote.
