Decisions made by school personnel- such as aids, teachers, or assistant principals- which students believe are unfair or in violation of pertinent policies of the Board or individual school rules may be appealed to the school principal or a designated representative. To appeal, students will contact the principal’s office in their school and provide their name, the issue and the reason for their appeal on a printed form available at the school office within two days. The appeal will usually be decided confidentially and promptly, preferable within ten (10) school days.

 

However, if the principal does not make a decision within ten (10) school days following the date of complaint, students or parents may appeal at that time by contacting the director of schools/designee at the central office. The information provided should include the student’s name, the school and a description of the problem.

 

An investigation and decision will be made within two (2) school days and communicated to the school principal and student by telephone. A written copy of the decision also will be sent to the student and the principal.

Discrimination/Harassment Grievance Procedures

Filing a Complaint – Any student of this school district who wishes to file a discrimination/harassment grievance against another student or an employee of the district may file a written or oral (recorded if possible) complaint with a manager. Students may also report an allegation of discrimination/harassment to any teacher or other adult employed in the school who shall inform a complaint manager of the allegation. The complaint should include the following Information:

1.       Identity of the alleged victim and person accused

2.       Location, date, time, and circumstances surrounding the alleged incident

3.       Description of what happened

4.       Identity of Witnesses

5.        Any other evidence available

 

 

Investigation – Within 24 hours of receiving the student’s complaint, the complaint manager shall notify the complaining student’s parent/guardian and the principal who shall inform the director of schools. The parent/guardian shall be given notice of the right to attend an interview of the student in a non-intimidating environment in order to elicit full disclosure of the student’s allegations. This interview shall take place within five (5) days from the time the complaint was first made. If no parent/guardian attends the interview, another adult, mutually agreed upon by the student and the complaint manager, shall attend and may serve as the student’s advocate. After a complete investigation, if the allegations are substantiated, immediate and appropriate corrective or disciplinary actions will be disclosed except (I) as required by law or this policy; or (2) as necessary to fully investigate the complaint; or (3) as authorized by the complainant. A school representative will meet with and advise the complainant regarding the findings, and whether corrective measures and/or disciplinary action were taken. Theinvestigation and response to the complainant will be completed within thirty (30) school days. Copies of the report will be sent to the student, principal, Federal Rights Coordinator and the director of schools. One copy shall be kept in the complaint manager’s file for one (1) year beyond the student’s eighteenth (18^th) birthday. The director of schools shall keep the Board informed of all complaints.

 

Decisions and Appeal -  If the complainant is not in agreement with the findings of fact as reported by the complaint manager, an appeal may be made, within five (5) work days to the director of schools. The director of schools will review the investigation, make any corrective action deemed necessary and provide a written response to the complainant. If the complainant is not in agreement with the director of schools’ findings of fact, appeal may be made to the Board of Education within five (5) workdays. The Board shall, withinthirty (30) days from the date the appeal was received, review the investigation and the actions of the director of schools and may support, amend or overturn the actions based upon review and report their decisions in writing to the complainant. (MSSD Board Policy – 6.305)