School District of Upper Moreland Township

Complaint Resolution Process for Federal Programs

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) legislation requires Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) to adopt written procedures for “receiving and resolving any complaint alleging violations of the law in administration of programs.” In accordance with this legislative requirement, the School District of Upper Moreland Township follows these procedures:

A “complaint” is a written, signed statement filed by an individual or an organization. It must include:

a. A statement that PDE or the School District of Upper Moreland Township has violated a requirement of federal statute or regulations which apply to programs under the No Child Left Behind Act.

b. The facts on which the statement is based.

c. Information on any discussions, meetings or correspondence with PDE or the district regarding the complaint.

Local Complaint Procedures

1) Referral - Complaints against the School District of Upper Moreland Township will be received in writing by the building principal.

2) Acknowledgement – The principal will acknowledge receipt of the complaint in writing.

3) Investigation – The principal will investigate the complaint and attempt to resolve the complaint informally. If an informal resolution satisfactory to the complainant is reached no further investigation or action by the District is required. If the problem cannot be informally resolved, it will be referred to the Director of Education.

4) Opportunity to Present Evidence – The Director of Education may, in his or her discretion, provide the opportunity for the complainant and/or the complainant's representative to present evidence. Such a presentation may include the opportunity for each side to question parties to the dispute and any of their witnesses.

5) Report and Recommended Resolution – Once the Director of Education has finished further investigation and taking of evidence, he or she will prepare a final report with a recommendation for resolving the complaint. The final report will give the name of the party bringing the complaint, the nature of the complaint, a summary of the investigation, the recommended resolution, and the reasons for the recommendation. The Director of Education will issue the report to the complainant, complainant's representative, Superintendent, and building Principal.

6) Right to Appeal – In appropriate cases, the complainant may appeal from the recommended resolution to the Secretary of the Education of the Commonwealth.

7) Follow-Up – The Director of Education will insure that the resolution of the complaint is implemented.

8) Time Limit – The period between School District's receipt of a complaint and its resolution within the district shall not exceed sixty (60) calendar days.

Complaints should be addressed as follows:

• Building Principal
• Director of Education
• Renee Palakovic, Chief
  Division of Federal Programs
  Pennsylvania Department of Education
  333 Market Street, 7^th Floor
  Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333