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Posted on 10/07/2002 5:18:50 PM PDT by Enough_Deceit
Mesa schools review policy on romances
By Mel Meléndez
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 7, 2002
Mesa Public Schools supervisors would have to divulge "amorous relationships" with subordinates, even affairs that ended decades ago, under a policy being considered by school officials.
Mesa Unified Governing Board members will review the policy changes at Tuesday's board meeting and can endorse them as early as Oct. 22. The intent is to keep romantic or sexual relationships from causing discord in the workplace, said Tom Pickrell, Mesa Unified's attorney. "Amorous relationships between a supervisor and employee, even past ones, can lead to complaints of favoritism or trigger sexual harassment lawsuits," he said. "So this is a preventive measure to avoid these types of things."
If approved, supervisors would have to inform administrators of current or past amorous relationships. District officials would then determine if remedial actions, such as reassignments, are needed to avoid potential conflicts. Confidentiality would be strictly enforced, district officials say.
The policy has raised eyebrows in some circles. "Most of the policies that address amorous relationships in the workplace pertain to current relationships, not past ones," said Rachel Lopez, assistant director of Arizona State University's Office of Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action. "So asking people to speak of ended relationships is probably a bit far reaching."
At a recent study session, several board members seemed noticeably uneasy about discussing a policy that aims to review instances of "lovers evaluating lovers" or "ex-lovers sexually harassing subordinates." "These are tough policy changes," said Governing Board member Mike Hughes, shaking his head. Pickrell acknowledged that few school districts have policies requiring employees to divulge amorous relationships. But many large private businesses and institutions, including universities, employ policies that specifically address the issue to reduce the risk of claims, he said. With 9,000 employees and 75,000 students, Mesa is the state's largest school district. "We're not prohibiting people from dating or having relationships, just to be responsible about it," he said. "That's all."
Pickrell wouldn't elaborate on what prompted the revisions. But last year, teacher's aide Sharon Scruggs filed sexual harassment charges with the district against Westwood High School principal Harold Crenshaw. According to Scruggs' claim, the district "knew or should have known of Crenshaw's propensity to compel female subordinates into sexual relationships because he had a reputation as such." Crenshaw retired a month later. Although the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission declined to further investigate Scruggs' discrimination claim, she filed a civil suit in July. "We have our share of sexual harassment claims, but not any more than any other institution our size," Pickrell said.
In 2001, the EEOC recorded more than 3,000 charges of workplace discrimination in Arizona. About 15 percent of those were sexual harassment charges, said Mary O'Neill, acting regional attorney for the Phoenix office. "The number of sexual harassment complaints that we see are on the rise and they've been on the rise for many years," O'Neill said. "So it continues to be an epidemic. "Still, asking people to divulge past relationships is certainly unique."
Mesa Unified's policy also addresses nepotism because the district doesn't ban hiring relatives, including spouses or children. Employees are also asked to divulge financial interests in companies that do business with the district.
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