Pee Dee Innovation and Leadership Academy
209 Graham Road, Building 300
Lake City, South Carolina 29560
Phone: 843.374.3500
Title IX
Non-Discrimination Policy Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Education regulations, Pee Dee Innovation and Leadership Academy, which is accredited by the South Carolina Public Charter School District, does not discriminate on the basis of:
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race,
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color,
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national origin,
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sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity),
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disability, or
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age
in any of its programs or activities, and provides equal access to all programs.
The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Title IX Coordinator & Section 504 Coordinator:
Dr. Sharon N. Williams, Executive Director sharon.williams@pdilacademy.com
Pee Dee Innovation and Leadership Academy
P.O. Box 1483,
209 Graham Road, Building 300
Lake City, South Carolina 29560
843.374.3500
Training Information For Viewing:
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https://icslawyer.com/posting-for-review-k-12-virtual-certified-title-ix-coordinator/
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https://icslawyer.com/posting-for-review-k-12-investigator-training/
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https://icslawyer.com/posting-for-review-virtual-k12-informal-resolution/
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https://icslawyer.com/posting-for-review-k-12-decision-maker-all-sessions/
To submit a Sexual Harassment & Retaliation Complaint Form, click here.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit:
https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/title-ix-and-sex-discrimination.
Pee Dee Innovation and Leadership Academy's Policies
Student and Parent Information
Gavin's Law
Notice to Students, Families, Staff & Community
Pee Dee Innovation & Leadership Academy (PDILA) is committed to providing a safe, supportive learning environment for every Falcon. In accordance with South Carolina’s Gavin’s Law, Act 54 of 2023, PDILA provides notice and education to students, parents and guardians, school personnel, and the public regarding sexual extortion, its dangers, and the consequences associated with this crime.
What Is Gavin’s Law?
Gavin’s Law is a South Carolina law that makes sexual extortion a felony offense.
Sexual extortion, sometimes referred to as “sextortion,” occurs when an individual intentionally and maliciously threatens to release, exhibit, or distribute another person’s private or sexually explicit image in an attempt to force that person to do something against his or her will, including providing additional private images or something else of value.
The offense may be considered aggravated felony sexual extortion under circumstances established by South Carolina law, including certain cases involving a minor or vulnerable adult or when the offense results in great bodily injury or death.
PDILA Policy Statement
Pee Dee Innovation & Leadership Academy is committed to protecting students from sexual exploitation, extortion, harassment, intimidation, and other forms of abuse, including conduct that occurs through electronic communication, social media, online platforms, text messaging, gaming platforms, or other digital technologies.
PDILA will provide age-appropriate education and awareness regarding the dangers and consequences of sexual extortion in accordance with applicable South Carolina requirements.
Students are encouraged to immediately report any threat, request, message, image, or online interaction that makes them feel unsafe or involves someone threatening to share a private or sexually explicit image.
Students who believe they are being targeted should not comply with demands for money, additional images, or other requests. They should seek assistance from a trusted adult as soon as possible.
What Should a Student Do?
If someone threatens you or attempts to use a private image to pressure, threaten, blackmail, or control you:
• Do not send additional images or money.
• Do not continue negotiating with the person making the threats.
• Tell a parent, guardian, teacher, school administrator, counselor, School Resource Officer, or another trusted adult immediately.
• Preserve messages, usernames, account information, and other evidence when it is safe to do so.
• Block and report the account through the applicable social media, messaging, gaming, or online platform after preserving available evidence.
• Seek help immediately. You do not have to handle the situation alone.
Reporting a Concern at PDILA
Students, parents, guardians, and staff members who become aware of suspected sexual extortion involving a PDILA student should immediately report the concern to school administration.
Pee Dee Innovation & Leadership Academy
209 Graham Road, Building 300
Lake City, SC 29560
843.374.3500
Reports may also be made to PDILA’s School Resource Officer or the appropriate law enforcement agency.
If there is an immediate threat to a student’s safety or an emergency, call 911.
PDILA will respond to reports in accordance with applicable school policies, reporting requirements, and state and federal law.
Family & Community Awareness
Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk regularly with children about online safety. Families should remind students never to share private or sexually explicit images and to be cautious when communicating with people online, particularly individuals they have never met in person.
Most importantly, students should know that if they receive a threatening message or make an online mistake, they should immediately seek help from a trusted adult rather than attempting to resolve the situation on their own.
Resources
South Carolina's Sex Offender Registry Link
Parent & Community Safety Notice
Pee Dee Innovation & Leadership Academy (PDILA) is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, families, staff, and community.
In accordance with South Carolina law, PDILA provides families and members of the public with access to the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry maintained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
The registry allows members of the public to search for registered sex offenders by name or geographic location and view available information, including reported addresses, photographs, aliases, map locations, and qualifying offenses.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to use this resource to remain informed about registered sex offenders who may reside within their communities and near locations frequented by their children.
Access the Registry
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) – Sex Offender Registry
Use the link above to access the official South Carolina Sex Offender Registry. Users must review and accept SLED’s Conditions of Use before accessing registry information.
Important Notice
Information contained in the registry is maintained and updated by SLED in coordination with county sheriffs’ offices. Because information can change, PDILA does not independently verify, maintain, or update information contained in the state registry.
Registry information must not be used to unlawfully injure, harass, threaten, intimidate, or commit a crime against any individual identified in the registry or any person residing or working at a reported address.
Our Commitment to Safety
The safety and well-being of every Falcon remain a priority at PDILA. We encourage families to remain informed, communicate with their children about personal and community safety, and report safety concerns to school administration or the appropriate law enforcement agency.