Lewisburg Area School District Policies	Printable version
103 Non-Discrimination Policy 103. NONDISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOL AND CLASSROOM PRACTICES The Board declares it to be the policy of this district to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their maximum potential through the programs offered in the schools regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, marital status, pregnancy or handicap/disability. The district shall provide to all students, without discrimination, course offerings, counseling, assistance, employment, athletics and extracurricular activities. The district shall make reasonable accommodations for identified physical and mental impairments that constitute handicaps and disabilities, consistent with the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations. The Board encourages students and third parties who believe they have been subject to discrimination to promptly report such incidents to designated employees. The Board directs that complaints of discrimination shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action be taken when allegations are substantiated. Confidentiality of all parties shall be maintained, consistent with the district's legal and investigative obligations. No reprisals nor retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith charges of discrimination. In order to maintain a program of nondiscrimination practices that is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Board designates the Title IX officer as the district's Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer shall ensure annual notification to students, parents/guardians, employees and the public of this policy and compliance procedures, and shall include contact information for the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer is responsible to monitor the implementation of nondiscrimination procedures in the following areas: 1. Curriculum and Materials - Review of curriculum guides, textbooks and supplemental materials for discriminatory bias. 2. Programming - Provision of programming for students and staff to identify and alleviate issues of discrimination. 3. Student Access - Review of programs, activities and practices to ensure that all students have equal access and are not segregated except when permissible by law or regulation. 4. District Support - Review all school programs to ensure that like aspects of the school program receive like support as to staffing and compensation, facilities, equipment, and related matters. 5. Student Evaluation - Review of tests, procedures, and guidance and counseling materials for stereotyping and discrimination. The building principal or designee shall be responsible to complete the following duties when receiving a complaint of discrimination: 1. Inform the student or third party of the right to file a complaint and the complaint procedure. 2. Inform the complainant that s/he may be accompanied by a parent/guardian during all steps of the complaint procedure. 3. Notify the complainant and the accused of the progress at appropriate stages of the procedure. 4. Refer the complainant to the Compliance Officer if the building principal is the subject of the complaint. Complaint Procedure – Student/Third Party Step 1 – Reporting A student or third party who believes s/he has been subject to conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy is encouraged to immediately report the incident to the building principal. A school employee who suspects or is notified that a student has been subject to conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy shall immediately report the incident to the building principal. If the building principal is the subject of a complaint, the student, third party or employee shall report the incident directly to the Compliance Officer. If the Compliance Officer is the subject of the complaint, then the incident shall be reported directly to the Superintendent. The complainant or reporting employee is encouraged to use the report form available from the building principal, but oral complaints shall be acceptable. Step 2 – Investigation Upon receiving a complaint of discrimination, the building principal shall immediately notify the Compliance Officer. The building principal shall investigate the complaint, unless the building principal is the subject of the complaint or is unable to conduct the investigation. The investigation may consist of individual interviews with the complainant, the accused, and others with knowledge relative to the incident. The investigator may also evaluate any other information and materials relevant to the investigation. The obligation to conduct this investigation shall not be negated by the fact that a criminal investigation of the incident is pending or has been concluded. Step 3 – Investigative Report The building principal shall prepare a written report within fifteen (15) days, unless additional time to complete the investigation is required. The report shall include a summary of the investigation, a determination of whether the complaint has been substantiated as factual and whether it is a violation of this policy, and a recommended disposition of the complaint. Findings of the investigation shall be provided to the complainant, the accused, and the Compliance Officer. Step 4 – District Action If the investigation results in a finding that the complaint is factual and constitutes a violation of this policy, the district shall take prompt, corrective action to ensure that such conduct ceases and will not recur. Disciplinary actions shall be consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, Board policies and district procedures, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and state and federal laws. Appeal Procedure 1. If the complainant is not satisfied with a finding of no violation of the policy or with the corrective action recommended in the investigative report, s/he may submit a written appeal to the Compliance Officer within fifteen (15) days. 2. The Compliance Officer shall review the investigation and the investigative report and may also conduct a reasonable investigation. 3. The Compliance Officer shall prepare a written response to the appeal within fifteen (15) days. Copies of the response shall be provided to the complainant, the accused, the building principal who conducted the initial investigation, and the Superintendent. References: School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 1310 State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 4.4, 12.1, 12.4, 15.1 et seq. Unfair Educational Practices – 24 P.S. Sec. 5004 Pennsylvania Human Relations Act – 43 P.S. Sec. 951 et seq. No Child Left Behind Act – 20 U.S.C. Sec. 6321 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act – 29 U.S.C. Sec. 794 Americans With Disabilities Act – 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq. Federal Anti-Discrimination and Civil Rights Laws – 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681 et seq. (Title IX) 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000d et seq. (Title VI) Federal Anti-Discrimination and Civil Rights Regulations – 28 CFR Part 35, Part 41 34 CFR Part 100, Part 104, Part 106, Part 110 Board Policy – 000, 701, 906