Code No. 102.0R1
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
It is the policy of the Anamosa Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination.
Students, parents or guardians of students, employees, and applicants for employment in the school district will have the right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination under federal or state regulations requiring non-discrimination in programs and employment. The district has policies and procedures in place to identify and investigate complaints alleging discrimination. If appropriate, the district will take steps to prevent the recurrence of discrimination and to correct its discriminatory effects on the Complainant and others.
A Complainant may attempt to resolve the problem informally by discussing the matter with a building principal or a direct supervisor. However, the Complainant has the right to end the informal process at any time and pursue the formal grievance procedures outlined below. Use of the informal or formal grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies. Please note that informal processes and procedures are not to be used in certain circumstances (e.g., sexual harassment and sexual assault).
Level One – Principal or Immediate Supervisor
(Informal and Optional – may be bypassed by the grievant)
Employees with a complaint of discrimination based upon their gender, race, color, creed, gender identity, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability are encouraged to first discuss it with their immediate supervisor, with the objective of resolving the matter informally.
An applicant for employment with a complaint of discrimination based upon their gender, race, national origin, gender identity, color, creed, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability are encouraged to first discuss it with the personnel contact person.
While a student, or a parent or guardian of a student, with a complaint of discrimination based upon their gender, race, color, gender identity, creed, socioeconomic status, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability are encouraged to discuss it with the instructor, counselor, supervisor, building administrator, program administrator or personnel contact person directly involved, they may go directly to the building administration.
Level Two – Compliance Officer
If the grievance is not resolved at level one and the grievant wishes to pursue the grievance, the grievant may formalize it by filing a complaint in writing on a Grievance Filing Form, which may be obtained from the Compliance Officer. The complaint will 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 the event giving rise to the grievance, or from the date the grievant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The grievant may request that a meeting concerning the complaint be held with the Compliance Officer. A minor student shall be accompanied at that meeting by a parent or guardian. The Compliance Officer will investigate the complaint and attempt to resolve it. A written report from the Compliance Officer regarding action taken will be sent to the involved parties within a reasonable time after receipt of the complaint. If the grievant is a direct report of the Compliance Officer, an alternate Compliance Officer will be identified.
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 within five (5) working days after the grievant receives the report from the Compliance Officer. The grievant may request a meeting with the Superintendent. The Superintendent may request a meeting with the grievant to discuss the appeal. A decision will be rendered by the Superintendent within a reasonable time 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, rather, the parents or guardians have a right to an impartial hearing 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 U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or Office of Special Education Programs, 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 Board
If the grievant is not satisfied with the Superintendent’s decision, the grievant can file an appeal with the Board of Directors within five (5) working days of the decision. It is within the discretion of the Board to determine whether it will hear the appeal.
The Compliance Officer is:
Name: Linda Vaughn
Physical Address: 410 Old Dubuque Street, Anamosa, Iowa 52205
Mailing Address: 200 S. Garnavillo Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
Phone Number: 319-462-3553
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Approved 6/3/02
Revised 5/2/05
Reviewed 11/7/05
Revised 3/19/07
Revised 3/7/11
Revised 2/4/13
Revised 5/16/16
Revised 8/21/17
