FARMINGTON — RSU 9 directors were given guidance Tuesday night to help them identify inappropriate sexual behavior by an adult.

Director Claire Andrews of Farmington, who has been doing training in the Catholic churches for years, facilitated the session with help from Superintendent Mike Cormier.

The Seattle, Wash., public schools received a grant to put together workshop materials and videos to help train school staff and others on what is appropriate behavior, what is borderline and what is inappropriate, Andrews said.

The program also trains people how to identify and respond to suspicions of sexual misbehavior, how to prevent false allegations and identify skilled child molesters, Andrews said.

She said any adult acting in a professional capacity, including teachers, guidance counselors, school officials and volunteers are required to report or cause a report to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services when the person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect inappropriate sexual behavior, abuse or neglect.

So far, 50 to 60 of the 400 RSU 9 staff have been trained and administrators and other trained personnel are working to train the others, Cormier said.

The bottom line overall is that the student comes first, he said.

Sexual comments, jokes or gestures, and showing revealing pictures or other content of a sexual nature unrelated to approved health curricula could be considered sexual harassment. Any conduct that would amount to sexual abuse of a minor under state criminal codes includes encouraging a child to engage in prostitution or other sexual activity and participating in pornography or related exploitation.

Also prohibited is any sexual relationship between school personnel and a student, former student under age of 18, or a student with disabilities.

Staff members are also prohibited from permitting students to address them by their first names, nicknames or otherwise familiar matter.

They also are not allowed to communicate with students on non-school matters via computer, text message, phone calls or letters or other means.

Andrews gave a brief review of RSU 9’s policies that include mandated reporting and staff conduct with students.

She said students often come to teachers and staff and give hugs. She said a hug can be deflected to a side hug with a hand on a shoulder. There may be times when touching is appropriate, including spotting a child in gymnastics so the child does not get hurt, a high-five, patting a shoulder, and knuckle to knuckle, Andrews said.

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Appropriate adult behavior with a student includes:

* Humor and friendly comments.

* Compliments that are not overly personal.

* Talk to all students in a consistent manner.

* Not spending majority of time with one student.

* Safe touch areas include head, shoulders, upper back, arms and hands.

Borderline adult behavior with students that may be misconstrued and should be eliminated:

* Singling out students for favors.

* Overly personal cards, notes, emails or yearbook inscriptions.

* Teasing that refers to gender or contains sexual innuendo.

* Sexist comments.