Title IX - 2025

September 18, 2025 | by mjones

Title IX Policy

The New Orleans Charter Science & Mathematics High School (“Sci High”) does not discriminate on
the basis of sex in its education programs and activities and, accordingly, requires its staff, teachers, employees
and students to abide by the requirements of Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and its
implementing regulations. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and is explicitly prohibited,
whether such conduct occurs on or off campus during or after school hours during or directly related to
school-sponsored activities, or at a time and/or place directly related to school functions or an employee's
school-related duties. It is the intent of Sci High to maintain an environment free from sexual assault and
sexual harassment of any kind; therefore, this policy commands that no student shall be subjected to sexual
misconduct, sexual assault or sexual harassment by other students or Sci High staff or employees. This policy
shall be enforced and the accompanying procedures shall be implemented regardless of whether a complaint
has been filed with or an investigation has been instituted by any law enforcement agency.
Sexual harassment occurs when: education benefits are conditioned upon participation in
unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., Quid Pro Quo); unwelcome conduct occurs that a reasonable person would
determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to
the school's education program or activity; and/or sexual assault (as defined in the Clery Act), dating violence,
domestic violence, or stalking as defined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Title IX requires Sci High to take steps to prevent and remedy two forms of sex-based harassment:
sexual harassment (including sexual violence) and gender-based harassment Sexual harassment is
unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and
other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual violence is a form of sexual harassment.
Sexual violence, as the Office of Civil Rights uses the term, refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a
person's will or where a person is incapable of giving consent. A numberof different acts fall into the category
of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse, and sexual coercion. Title IX
also prohibits gender-based harassment, which is unwelcome conduct based on a student's sex, or harassing
conduct based on a student's failure to conform to sex stereotypes.
Sex-based harassment can be carried out by school employees, other students, and third parties.
All students can experience sex-based harassment, including male and female students, LGBT students,
students with disabilities, and students of different races, national origins, and ages. Title IX protects all

students from sex-based harassment, regardless of the sex of the parties, including when they are
members of the same sex.
Sex-based harassment creates a hostile environment if the conduct is sufficiently serious that it
denies or limits a student's ability to participate in or benefit from the school's program. When a school
knows or reasonably should know of possible sex-based harassment, it must take immediate and
appropriate steps to investigate or otherwise determine what occurred. If an investigation reveals that
the harassment created a hostile environment, the school must take prompt and effective steps
reasonably calculated to end the harassment, eliminate the hostile environment, prevent its recurrence,
and, as appropriate, remedy its effects.
Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) or to
Sci High’s School's Title IX Coordinator, at phone number: Ms. Riana Guidry, 504-324-7061:
Sci High's Title IX Personnel consist of the following individuals:
1. The Title IX Coordinator: Ms. Riana Guidry, rguidry@noscihigh.org, 504-324-7061
2. The Title IX lnvestigator(s): Ms. Michaleen Bickham, mbickham@noscihigh.org, phone
number; Mr. William Carroll wcarroll@noscihigh.org, 504-359-8520;
3. The Title IX Decision-Maker: Ms. Dana Johnson, djohnson2@noscihigh.org, 504-655-5216
4. The Title IX Appeal Person: Dr. Monique Cola, mcola@noscihigh.org, 504-324-7061

Definition of Sexual Harassment
1) Sexual assault or sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.
2) Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for
sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when at least
one (1) of the following occurs:
a) Submission to such conduct is made, either implicitly or explicitly, a term or condition of
the student's grades, academic status, or progress or is used to deprive the student of
access to the educational opportunities and benefits provided by Sci High.
b) Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for academic or other
school-related decisions affecting the student.

c) Such conduct of a sexual nature is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the
purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the student's academic performance
or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment for the
student.

3) Extended Definition of Sexual Harassment which may include but is not limited to:
a) Verbal harassment or abuse;
• Uninvited letters, telephone calls, or materials of sexual nature;
• Uninvited or inappropriate leaning over, cornering, patting or pinching;
• Uninvited sexually suggestive looks or gestures;
• Intentional brushing against a student's or school employee's body;
• Uninvited pressure for dates;
• Uninvited sexual teasing, jokes, remarks or questions;
• Any sexually motivated unwelcome touching;
• Any conduct resulting in an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational
environment; or
• Attempted or actual rape or sexual assault or sexual battery.

No Retaliation
Retaliation of any nature against any student or teacher, staff, or employee who makes a report or complaint or
who participates in any investigation under this policy is a serious violation of Sci High's sexual harassment
policy. Such retaliation is considered an act of sexual discrimination itself; therefore, reports and complaints of
such retaliation are handled in the same manner as those of sexual harassment. A reference to "sexual
harassment" in this policy and the related procedures shall also include retaliation. As such, retaliation against
any employee or student who brings sexual harassment charges or who assists in investigating such charges
shall be prohibited. Any employee or student bringing a sexual harassment complaint or assisting in the
investigation of such a complaint will not be adversely affected, discriminated against or punished because of
the complaint.

Violations

1) Students and employees are encouraged and expected to immediately report incidences of
alleged sexual discrimination or harassment and/or retaliation in accordance with these
regulations and procedures.
2) A report or complaint-written or verbal-of an alleged violation of this policy must be sufficiently
clear and explicit so that it can be recognized as a legitimate report of sexual discrimination or
harassment or retaliation. This means that a report or complaint must, at a minimum, include: (1) a
description of an alleged act of sexual discrimination or harassment or retaliatory conduct,
including the date, time, and place it allegedly occurred; (2) identity of the alleged victim; (3)
identity of the alleged harasser; and (4) identity of the reporting person.
3) All alleged violations of this policy shall be handled seriously and according to these regulations and
procedures.
4) Discipline/Consequences.
a) Any student who is determined to have engaged in a sexual assault, sexual discrimination or
harassment or retaliation against another individual in violation of this policy may be
subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.
b) Any employee who is determined to have permitted, engaged in, or failed to report sexual
assault, sexual harassment or retaliation in violation of this policy and the related
procedures may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Enforcement
Each Principal, staff member, and teacher has the responsibility of taking such reasonable steps necessary and
practicable to maintain a work environment and educational environment free of sexual assault and sexual
discrimination or harassment. Such steps shall include implementation of the following:
1) All teachers, other staff members, and all employees shall cooperate, as needed, in any formal and
informal investigations instituted under this policy. The Title IX Investigator is responsible to
investigate any report of sexual discrimination or harassment involving student on student in
coordination with the Title IX Coordinator. Reports involving an employee shall also be immediately
reported to the Title IX Coordinator.
2) All principals, administrators and staff in charge of discipline of students shall, in accordance with
policy and law, take such disciplinary action against any student found to be in violation of the sexual
harassment policy as may be appropriate under the circumstances.

Updated 5/2025

3) Within the first week of school each school year, the Title IX Coordinator through each Principal or
Building Site coordinator shall ensure that an in-service program addressing the sexual harassment
policy and procedures is provided for allteachers, staff and employees.
4) During orientation at the beginning of each school year or at the time of a new student's enrollment,
the Principal of the school shall ensure that instruction about sexual harassment, Sci High’s School
policy, and its procedures are provided to students.
5) Teachers, counselors, and administrators shall instruct students on sexual assault, dating violence, or
sexual harassment report and complaint procedures within the educational setting on an as-needed
basis.
6) The Title IX Coordinator shall ensure that the sexual assault, dating violence, or sexual harassment
policy and procedures are provided to all students, parents, and employees by:
a) Including a restatement of the policy and procedures in the student handbook;
b) Posting an age-appropriate restatement of the policy against sexual assault and sexual
harassment, the report and complaint procedures, and notice of the Title IX Coordinator at
visible and accessible sites for students, for parents, and for employees;
c) Making a copy the complete policy and procedures available on request for students, parents,
and employees at the school office and the central office; and
d) Maintaining the policy and procedures on the Sci High website.

* The Title IX Coordinator for N.O. Charter Science & Math High School is:
Riana Gudry, rguidry@noscihigh.org, 504-324-7061
* Appeal of Title IX Finding
Any appeal or grievance related to a Title IX Investigation shall be sent in writing to the Head of School, Dr.
Monique Cola at the following address: 2011 Bienville Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, and emailed to:
mcola@noscihigh.org
In reviewing the decision, the Sci High’s Head of School may uphold, modify, or reverse the decision of the Title IX
Coordinator; however, the Head of School’s review of the Title IX Investigation findings is final.