Purpose
Any resident or community group shall have the right to present a request, suggestion or concern regarding district personnel, the program, or the operations of the district.  At the same time, the Board has a duty to support its staff in effectively and efficiently resolving issues.  It is the intent of this policy to provide a fair and impartial manner for seeking appropriate remedies.

Authority
Any misunderstanding between the public and the school district shall be resolved by direct discussions of an informal type among the interested parties.  It is only when such informal meetings fail to resolve the differences that more formal procedures shall be employed.

Guidelines
Any requests, suggestions or complaints reaching Board members and the Board shall be referred to the Superintendent for consideration and action.  In the event that further action is warranted, based on the initial investigation, such action shall be in accordance with the following procedures.

1. Matters Regarding a Teaching Staff Member

First Level -A matter specifically directed toward a teaching staff member shall be addressed, initially, to the concerned staff member who shall discuss it with the complainant and make every effort to provide a reasoned explanation or take appropriate action within his/her authority.  As appropriate, the staff member shall report the matter, and whatever action may have been taken, to the building principal.

Second Level - If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved at the first level, it shall be discussed by the complainant with the building principal or another building administrator working directly under the supervision of the building principal.

Third Level - If a satisfactory solution is not achieved by discussion with the building principal, either the principal or the complainant shall contact the Superintendent.  The principal will furnish to the Superintendent a report which will include:

a. the specific nature of the complaint and a brief statement of the facts giving rise to it

b. the action which the complainant wishes taken and the reasons why it is felt that such action be taken 

c. a recommended course of action for the Superintendent's consideration.

Fourth Level - Should the matter still not be resolved by the Superintendent, or it is beyond the Superintendent's authority and requires Board action, the Superintendent shall furnish the Board with a complete written report on the matter.

The Board, after reviewing all material relating to the case, shall either: provide the complainant with its decision or, if appropriate, grant a hearing before a committee of the Board.  If a hearing occurs, the complainant shall be advised, in writing, of the Board's decision.

        2. Matters Regarding an Administrative Staff Member

In the case of a complaint directed toward an administrative staff member, the complaint shall be discussed, initially, with the person toward whom it is directed. If a satisfactory resolution is not achieved at this level, the matter shall be brought, as required, to higher levels in accordance with the organization chart of the school district in the manner described in Part 1.

          3. Matters Regarding a Non-instructional Staff Member

In the case of a complaint directed toward a non-instructional staff member, the complaint is to be directed, initially, toward the person's superior, and the matter then brought, as required, to higher levels in accordance with the organization chart of the school district in the manner prescribed in Part 1.

         4. Matters Regarding a Program, Operation or Instructional Materials

A request, suggestion, or complaint relating to a matter of district or school policy, procedure, program, operation, or instructional materials, should be addressed, initially, to the building principal or the head of the nonprofessional department who is most directly concerned; and then brought, in turn, to higher levels of authority in the manner prescribed in Part 1.

           5. Matters Regarding Pupil Progress and Well-Being

In the case of a complaint directed toward this area, the general procedures specified in Part 1 shall be followed.