A settlement has been reached in the Minnesota Anoka-Hennepin School District bullying and harassment case. Six students filed a lawsuit that alleged severe peer-on-peer harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex and sexual orientation in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Minnesota human rights statues. The district had been operating under a policy of neutrality when it came to questions involving sexual orientation. That policy was rescinded in favor of a requirement to “affirm the dignity and self-worth of students” regardless of race, sexual orientation, or disabilities. The six students who sued will receive a total payment of $270,000. Read more about it HERE.

AAUW is encouraged by the settlement reached in the case. The agreement puts in place a comprehensive plan to address gender discrimination, harassment, and bullying in the district. The plan includes hiring an expert consultant to review the district’s sex-based harassment policies and procedures; hiring or appointing a Title IX coordinator to ensure implementation of appropriate policies, and improving training of faculty, staff, and students on sex-based harassment. AAUW is hopeful that the framework could serve as a model for all schools dealing with the pervasive problems of sexual harassment and bullying.