After Babylon Teacher's Rape Charge, School District Installs Safety Policy

BABYLON, NY — The Babylon School District, which received scrutiny in the past year after alumni claimed they were sexually abused by employees, has officially implemented a measure to ensure appropriate relationships between staff and students.

Policy 9150, or "School District Adult-Student Relations", was approved at the Aug. 8 board of education meeting, with the intent to maintain an "effective and safe learning environment."

The passing of the policy comes five months after Timothy Harrison, a former Babylon teacher and sports coach, was arrested in March and charged with raping a 15-year-old student in 2013. He has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on Sept. 7.

According to the board of education, the student was inspired to make a complaint after numerous alumni spoke out at a November meeting and said that they experienced sexual and emotional abuse from teachers. Attorney General Letitia James also conducted an investigation into the Babylon School District in November, after hearing the accusations.

The measure was revised by abuse advocacy group BHS Alumni & Allies For Change (BAAC), alongside the board's policy committee. In a news release, the group said it was a "momentous first step" in ensuring the safety of students throughout the district.

"The centering of survivors is a core value of BAAC, and the importance of such was demonstrated throughout the revision of this policy," the abuse advocacy group said in a statement. "The presence of sexual violence survivors who walked the halls of BHS brought to life the impact these experiences have, and the necessity of going to great lengths to prevent them."

The policy stated that all communication between staff and students must only occur through official district-approved platforms, such as district-assigned emails. Communication with students via text messages, social media, is also or any platform that is not approved by the district is banned.

Adults also are not only prohibited in engaging in any sexual conduct or contact with students, but any "inappropriate displays of affection or sexually suggestive comments between staff and students regardless of whether staff or student initiates behavior, whether it is consensual, or whether the student has parental permission, on or off school property."

The policy also lists other prohibited actions such as grooming, giving substances or alcohol to students, and spending time outside of school with students. All complaints will be anonymous and investigated by the district.

The principal or program supervisor of each school will be responsible for providing a yearly, age-appropriate training in the first trimester or quarter of each new school year to students, so that they can understand the policy.

A parent training and a district-wide training will also be scheduled annually by the district, the measure stated.

Newly hired employees will receive a copy of the policy within 30 days of their official start dates.

"Any person with knowledge or reasonable suspicion of a school district adult engaging in prohibited conduct, as enumerated in this policy, but not limited to, students shall report the incident," it stated.

If an employee violates the policy, they could be "subject to appropriate disciplinary measures up to and including termination of employment and/or services in accordance with legal guidelines."

Staff may also be subject to "criminal and/or civil sanctions" as well as disciplinary action by the state education department.

The abuse advocacy group told Patch that it emphasized three key values when finalizing the policy: framing, or removing certain language such as “romantic”, “dating”, and“flirting”, defining; detailing problematic behavior; and abuse training.

In March, the group praised the student in the Harrison case.

"We're here for you. We know exactly what you're going through, and how difficult this is," said member Barbara Maier. "You're a part of our family. So don't ever hesitate to reach out to us, either. We have your back."

The abuse advocacy group said its next step is to begin the district's sexual harassment policy, and is currently awaiting direction from the board.

The group also thanked retired superintendent Linda Rozzi, the board of education, and community members for their support on the policy.

"We look forward to our continued collaboration in transforming our beloved high school and hometown into a model for how to transmute the tragic abuses of students," they said in a statement. "BAAC remains committed to our work with administrative and community leaders advocating for the shift of a problematic culture into one that fosters an enriched, safe learning environment."

To read the policy in full in the board's Aug. 8 meeting agenda, click here.

To read the abuse advocacy group's full statement about the policy, click here.

To read Patch's coverage on this topic, check out the following links:

• Long Island Teacher Resigns After 'Disturbing Allegations'
• LI Woman Accuses Teacher Of Sexual Abuse: 'We Deserve An Apology'
• 'Predator' Teachers Accused Of Abuse Reassigned; Kids Walk Out
• AG Launches Investigation Into Babylon School District
• Former BOE Head Says LI Superintendent Knew About Abuse Reports
• Sexual Abuse Survivors Interrupted, Silenced At LI BOE Meeting
• Ex-Student On LI Teacher's Rape Charge: 'They Didn't Believe Us'
• Babylon Alumni React To Teacher's Arrest: 'Your Pain Is Valid'