| Purpose
The Board declares it to be the policy of this district to
provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their maximum
potential through the programs offered in the schools regardless of
race, color, age, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry,
national origin or handicap/disability.
The district shall make available to all students of the District,
without discrimination, course offerings, counseling, assistance,
employment, athletics and extracurricular activities. The district
shall make reasonable accommodations for identified physical and mental
impairments that constitute disabilities, consistent with the requirements
of federal and state laws and regulations.
The Board encourages students and third parties who have been subject
to discrimination to promptly report such incidents to designated
employees.
The Board directs that complaints of discrimination shall be investigated
promptly, and corrective action be taken when allegations are substantiated.
Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with
the district’s legal and investigative obligations.
No reprisals nor retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith
charges of discrimination.
Authority
In order to maintain a program of nondiscrimination practices
that is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Board
designates the Director of Human Resources as the district’s
Compliance Officer.
The Compliance Officer shall publish and disseminate this policy
and complaint procedure at least annually to students, parents/guardians,
employees and the public. Nondiscrimination statements shall include
the position, office address and telephone number of the Compliance
Officer.
The Compliance Officer is responsible to monitor the implementation
of nondiscrimination procedures in the following areas:
- Curriculum and Materials – Review of curriculum guides,
textbooks and supplemental materials for discriminatory bias.
- Training – Provision of training for students and staff
to identify and alleviate problems of discrimination.
- Student Access – Review of programs, activities and practices
to ensure that all students have equal access and are not segregated
except when permissible by law or regulation.
- District Support – Assurance that like aspects of the school
program receive like support as to staffing and compensation, facilities,
equipment, and related matters.
- Student Evaluation – Review of tests, procedures, and guidance
and counseling materials for stereotyping and discrimination.
The building principal or designee shall be responsible to complete
the following duties when receiving a complaint of discrimination:
- Inform the student or third party of the right to file a complaint
and the complaint procedure.
- Inform the complainant that he/she may be accompanied by a parent/guardian
during all steps of the complaint procedure.
- Notify the complainant and the accused of the progress at appropriate
stages of the procedure.
- Refer the complainant to the Compliance Officer if the building
principal is the subject of the complaint.
Guidelines
Step 1-Reporting
A student or third party who believes he/she has been subject to conduct
that constitutes a violation of the policy is encouraged to immediately
report the incident to the building principal.
A school employee who suspects or is notified that a student has been
subject to conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy shall
immediately report the incident to the building principal.
If the building principal is the subject of a complaint, the student,
third party or employee shall report the incident directly to the
Compliance Officer.
The complainant or reporting employee is encouraged to use the report
form available from the building principal, but oral complaints shall
be acceptable and documented.
Step 2-Investigation
Upon receiving a complaint of discrimination, the building principal
shall immediately notify the Compliance Officer.
- The Compliance Officer shall authorize the building principal
to investigate the complaint, unless the building principal is the
subject of the complaint or is unable to conduct the investigation.
- The investigation may consist of individual interviews with the
complainant, the accused, and others with knowledge relative to
the incident. The investigator may also evaluate any other information
and materials relevant to the investigation.
- The obligation to conduct this investigation shall not be negated
by the fact that a criminal investigation of the incident is pending
or has been concluded.
Step 3 – Investigative Report
The building principal shall prepare a written report within fifteen
(15) days, unless additional time to complete the investigation is
required. The report shall include a summary of the investigation,
a determination of whether the complaint has been substantiated as
factual and whether it is a violation of this policy, and a recommended
disposition of the complaint.
Findings of the investigation shall be provided to the complainant,
the accused, and the Compliance Officer.
Step 4 – District Action
If the investigation results in a finding that the complaint is factual
and constitutes a violation of this policy, the district shall take
prompt, corrective action to ensure that such conduct ceases and will
not reoccur.
Disciplinary actions shall be consistent with the Student Discipline
Code of Conduct, Board policies and district procedures, applicable
collective bargaining agreements, and state and federal laws.
Appeal Procedure
If the complainant is not satisfied with a finding of no violation
of the policy or with the corrective action recommended in the investigative
report, he/she may submit a written appeal to the Compliance Officer
within fifteen (15) days.
The Compliance Officer shall review the investigation and the investigative
report with the Superintendent and may also conduct a reasonable investigation.
The Compliance Officer shall prepare a written response to the appeal
within fifteen (15) days. Copies of the response shall be provided
to the complainant, the accused, the Superintendent and the building
principal who conducted the initial investigation.
REPORT FORM FOR COMPLAINTS OF DISCRIMINATION
Complainant: ________________________________________________________________
Home Address:_______________________________________________________________
Home Phone: ________________________________________________________________
School Building:______________________________________________________________
Date of Alleged Incident(s):_____________________________________________________
Alleged discrimination was based on: (circle those that apply)
Race Color National
Origin
Gender Disability Religion
Ancestry Age Sexual
Orientation
Other:__________________________
Name of person you believe violated the district’s nondiscrimination
policy:
____________________________________________________________________________
If the alleged discrimination was directed against another person,
identify the other person:
____________________________________________________________________________
Describe the incident as clearly as possible, including any verbal
statements (i.e. threats, derogatory remarks, demands, etc.) and any
actions or activities. Attach additional pages if necessary:____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
When and where incident occurred:________________________________________________
List any witnesses who were present:______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
This complaint is based on my honest belief that _____________________
has discriminated against me or another person. I certify that the
information I have provided in this complaint is true, correct and
complete to the best of my knowledge.
_____________________________ __________________
Complainant’s Signature Date
_____________________________ __________________
Received By
Date
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