Civil Rights Grievance Procedure 1316
HAGERMAN JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 233
Grievances by employees, students or other persons alleging illegal discrimination by this district, its employees, other students, or third parties in any of the district’s public facilities, programs or activities based on race, sex, national origin, color, age (persons forty (40) years of age or older), religion, or disability may be filed as follows:
Filing a Civil Rights Grievance Complaint
A complaint should be filed in writing by the complainant, by the complainant’s representative, parent or guardian or both. Any complaints received by this district by telephone or verbally will be recorded by the district in written form. The complaint must be filed with the office of the superintendent within one hundred eighty (180) days of the alleged discriminatory action. The complaint should set forth the date, place, and nature of the discriminatory action and specify the remedy sought by the complainant.
Investigation and Report
The school district will contact the complainant in writing within ten (10) working days of receipt of the complaint to let him or her know the complaint was received and what action the district has taken or will take in an attempt to resolve the complaint.
Within ninety (90) calendar days after receiving the complaint, the superintendent or designee must investigate the incident and issue a written finding of whether or not discrimination was found. The investigation will include, but not be limited to, interviews with the complainant and school district personnel. The investigator will allow both parties an opportunity to present written statements of witnesses and/or other evidence.
If the complainant does not agree with the findings of the superintendent or designee, he or she will have thirty (30) days to provide additional information to the designee of the superintendent to facilitate further review of the complaint.
The complainant will be notified of his or her right to appeal the findings of the district to the proper state or federal compliance agency. A complainant may at any time file a complaint directly with other agencies listed on page two of this policy.
Remedy if Discrimination is Found
If the superintendent or designee finds that the alleged discrimination occurred, the superintendent will take immediate steps to remedy such discrimination and to prevent the recurrence of discrimination. The superintendent will provide the complainant with a written report of the findings and proposed remedy, if any. The superintendent will report the investigation findings and proposed remedy, if any, to the board at the next special or regular meeting.
Filing Other Complaints
The complainant may also file a complaint with the following state and federal agencies:#
- Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 915 2nd Avenue, Room 3310, Seattle, WA 98174-1099.
- U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20530.
Employment complaints may be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 2815 2nd Avenue, Suite 500, Seattle, Washington 98121.
No Retaliatory Action
No individual who has filed a complaint, testified, assisted or participated in any manner in the investigation of a complaint will be intimidated, coerced or otherwise discriminated against.
Retention of Records
All records of complaints and investigations filed under this procedure will be retained with the district for a period of three (3) years.
School District Actions
All employees, students, and third parties of the district will be responsible for acting in accordance with this policy.
Legal Reference:Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965
Policy History:
Adopted on: 10/8/2012
Reviewed on:
Revised on: