GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE (Board Policy 5114.3 adopted February 2007)

Grievances, complaints and communications from all students should be initiated and processed in the following manner. This procedure is to be followed for any and/or all alleged acts of discrimination.

• If a student has a grievance or complaint, the person should present the matter to the principal in an effort to resolve the problem informally. The grievance or complaint should be submitted in writing and should be signed and dated by the principal.
• If the principal does not have the power or authority to resolve the problem, the principal shall immediately report it to the superintendent to be handled hereinafter provided.
• If the grievance or complaint is one within the power and authority of the principal to resolve, the principal shall do so as quickly and diplomatically as possible.
• If the grievance or complaint is not resolved by the principal in a manner satisfactory to the aggrieved party within seven (7) calendar days, the aggrieved party shall have authority to report the grievance or complaint to the superintendent. A copy of the grievance or complaint presented to the principal should be given to the superintendent. The superintendent should sign and date the grievance or complaint. This report shall be privileged and confidential. Upon receipt of such grievance or complaint, the superintendent shall conduct a personal investigation and undertake to resolve the problem.
• If the superintendent fails to resolve the problem within ten (10) calendar days or if the aggrieved party is dissatisfied with the determination of the superintendent, the aggrieved party shall then submit his/her grievance or complaint in writing to the president of the Board of Education. The superintendent may forward a grievance or complaint to the president of the Board of Education if the superintendent believes the resolution of the problem is policy and not administration.
• The Board of Education shall make an investigation, either as a board or by committee, and shall give the aggrieved party an opportunity to appear before the full board in person, either privately or accompanied by legal counsel, with the right to present facts and witnesses in full hearing. At the conclusion of such investigation, the Board of Education shall, within thirty (30) calendar days, render its determination in writing.
• The elimination of grievances is for the best interests of the educational system, and no reprisal of any kind, implied, direct or indirect, shall be involved in grievance procedures.

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