In accordance with the General Municipal Law and any applicable collective bargaining agreements, all District employees shall have the opportunity to present complaints or  grievances free from interference, coercion, restraint, discrimination or reprisal. The District shall provide at least two (2) procedural stages and an appellate stage for the settlement of any grievance.

Complaints or grievances not covered under employee contracts shall be handled and resolved, whenever possible, as close to their origin as possible. The Superintendent is responsible for implementing regulations for the redress of complaints or grievances through proper administrative channels.

Prohibition of Retaliatory Behavior (Commonly Known as "Whistle-Blower" Protection)

         The Board prohibits any retaliatory behavior directed against complainants, victims, witnesses, and/or any other individuals who participated in the investigation of a complaint of discrimination. Follow-up inquiries shall be made to verify that discrimination has not resumed and that all those involved in the investigation of the discrimination complaint have not suffered retaliation. If retaliation is discovered, the District will take appropriate remedial action.

Complaints and Grievances Coordinator

Additionally, the District will comply with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The Superintendent shall designate a District employee as the Title IX/Section 504/ADA Coordinator; and regulations and procedures shall be implemented to resolve complaints of discrimination based on sex or disability.

Prior to the beginning of each school year, the District shall issue an appropriate public announcement which advises students, parents/guardian, employees and the general public of the District's established grievance procedures for resolving complaints of discrimination based on sex or disability. Included in such announcement will be the name, address and telephone number of the Title IX/Section 504/ADA Coordinator.

The Title IX/Section 504/ADA Coordinator shall also be responsible for handling complaints and grievances regarding discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, age, military status, veteran status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics, use of a recognized guide dog, hearing dog or service dog, or domestic violence victim status.

General Municipal Law Sections 681-685

Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 United States Code (USC) Section 621

Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 United States Code (USC) Section 12101 et seq.

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) Public Law 110-233