Students, parents of students, employees, and applicants for employment in the District shall have the right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination under these Board policies and/or under federal or state regulations requiring non-discrimination in programs and employment. Formal complaints and informal reports regarding sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, will be subject to the Title IX grievance process (see the Title IX Grievance Procedure regulation).
Level One: Principal, Immediate Supervisor or Personnel Contact Person (Informal)
Employees with a complaint of discrimination based upon their race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status (for programs) are encouraged to first discuss it with their Principal, Dean, or immediate supervisor, with the objective of resolving the matter informally. A student, a parent of a student, or an applicant for employment with a complaint of discrimination based upon their race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic status (for programs) are encouraged to discuss it with the instructor, counselor, supervisor, building administrator, program administrator, or personnel contact person directly involved. Please note informal processes and procedures are not to be used in certain circumstances such as sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Level Two: Equity Coordinator
If the grievance is not resolved at level One and the grievant wishes to pursue the grievance, they may formalize it by filing a complaint in writing on a Complaint Form Policy 104.1E2 and that may be obtained from the Educational Equity Coordinator. An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed the Equity Coordinator or Superintendent committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. The complaint shall state the nature of the grievance and the remedy requested. The filing of the formal, written complaint at level two must be within fifteen (15) working days from the date of this event giving rise to the grievance or from the date the grievant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The grievant may request a meeting concerning the complaint be held with the Educational Equity Coordinator. A minor student may be accompanied at that meeting by a parent or guardian. The Equity Coordinator shall investigate the complaint and attempt to resolve it.
Investigation
Within fifteen (15) working days the Equity Coordinator will begin the investigation of the complaint or appoint a qualified person to undertake the investigation (hereinafter “Equity Coordinator”). If the Complainant is under 18 years of age, the Equity Coordinator shall notify his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) they may attend investigatory meetings in which the Complainant is involved. The complaint and identity of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy. The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following:
- A request for the Complainant to provide a written statement regarding the nature of the complaint;
- A request for the individual named in the complaint to provide a written statement;
- A request for witnesses identified during the course of the investigation to provide a written statement;
- Interviews of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses;
- An opportunity to present witnesses or other relevant information; and
- Review and collection of documentation or information deemed relevant to the investigation.
A written report from the Equity Coordinator regarding action taken will be sent to the involved parties within fifteen (15) working days after receipt of the complaint.
The complaint is closed after the Equity Coordinator has issued the report, unless within ten (10) working days after receiving the decision, either party appeals the decision to the Superintendent.
Level Three: Superintendent/Administrator
If the complaint is not resolved at level Two, the grievant may appeal it to level Three by presenting a written appeal to the Superintendent/Administrator within ten (10) working days after the grievant receives the report from the Equity Coordinator. The grievant may request a meeting with the Superintendent/Administrator or his/her designee. The Superintendent/Administrator may request a meeting with the grievant to discuss the appeal. A decision will be rendered by the Superintendent/Administrator or their designee within ten (10) working days after the receipt of the written appeal. If in cases of disability grievances at the elementary and secondary level, the issue is not resolved through the grievance process, students/parents have a right to a hearing with a third party from outside of the District to resolve the issue.
This procedure in no way denies the right of the grievant to file formal complaints with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, the Federal Office of Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the Iowa Department of Education for mediation or rectification of civil rights grievances or to seek private counsel for complaints alleging discrimination.
Level Four: Appeal to the Board
If the grievant is not satisfied with the Superintendent’s decision, the grievant can file an appeal with the Board within five (5) working days of the decision. It is within the discretion of the Board to determine whether it will hear the appeal.
If any of the stated timeframes cannot be met by the District, the District will notify the parties and pursue completion as promptly as possible.
Retaliation against any person, because the person has filed a complaint or assisted in an investigation, is prohibited. Persons found to have engaged in retaliation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures.
The Educational Equity / Affirmative Action Coordinator Is:
NAME: EQUITY COORDINATOR
EMAIL ADDRESS: gcsdequitycoordinator@glenwoodschools.org
OFFICE ADDRESS: 103 Central, Suite 300, Glenwood, Iowa 51534
PHONE NUMBER: 712-527-3034 or 712-527-9034
OFFICE HOURS: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.