102 - Equal Educational Opportunity
102 - Equal Educational OpportunityIt is the goal of the board to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in the students enrolled in the school district. Each student attending school will have the opportunity to use its education program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual growth. In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that assures each student the same educational opportunity.
The Fairfield Community School District does not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, 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. The belief in equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to school district facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Chuck Benge, 403 S 20th St., Fairfield. Ph. 641-209-2655. Email: chuck.benge@fairfieldsfuture.org.
Board policies, rules and regulations affect students while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.
The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, are directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Chuck Benge; Fairfield Community School District, Fairfield, Iowa 52556; or by telephoning (641) 472 2655.
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Region VII office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60604 (312) 730-1560, fax (312) 730-1576 OCR.Chicago@ed.gov, the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner, https://icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121 or the Iowa Dept. of Education, Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319. (515) 281-5294. This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.
This is a mandatory policy.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1221 et seq.
20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
20 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq.
29 U.S.C. § 206 et seq.
29 U.S.C. § 794
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d and 2000e
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
34 C.F.R. Pt. 100
34 C.F.R. Pt. 104
Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 216.9; 256.11, 280.3
281 I.A.C. 12.
Cross Reference: 101 Educational Philosophy of the School District
401.1 Equal Employment Opportunity
506.1 Student Records
Approved: Dec. 16, 1996, Sep 15, 2014, February 21, 2022
Reviewed: July 20, 2007, Jan. 12, 2009, June 14, 2010, Nov. 8, 2010, Aug 18, 2014, January 24, 2022
Revised: Aug. 13, 2007, Feb. 9, 2009, July 12, 2010, Aug 18, 2014, January 24, 2022
102.E1 - Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination
102.E1 - Annual Notice of NondiscriminationThe Fairfield Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study: Industrial Education, Family Consumer Science, Vocational Agriculture and Business Education.
It is the policy of the Fairfield Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, 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. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Chuck Benge, 403 S. 20th St, Fairfield, (641) 472-2655 or email at chuck.benge@fairfieldsfuture.org.
Approved: Sep 15, 2014, February 21, 2022
Reviewed: Aug 18, 2014, January 24, 2022
Revised: Aug 18, 2014, January 24, 2022
102.E2 - Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination
102.E2 - Continuous Notice of NondiscriminationIt is the policy of the Fairfield Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, 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. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Equity Coordinator Chuck Benge, 403 S. 20th St., Fairfield, (641) 472-2655 or email: chuck.benge@fairfieldsfuture.org.
Approved: February 21, 2022
Reviewed: January 24, 2022
Revised: January 24, 2022
102.E3 - Grievance Documentation
102.E3 - Grievance DocumentationName of Individual Alleging Discrimination or Non-Compliance
Name
Grievance Date
State the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested.
Indicate Principal's or Supervisor's response or action to above complaint.
Signature of Principal or Supervisor
102.E4 - Section 504 Student and Parental Rights
102.E4 - Section 504 Student and Parental RightsThe Fairfield Community School District does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of a student's disability. It has been determined that your child has a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made to meet his or her individual needs as adequately as the needs of other students. As a parent, you have the right to the following:
- participation of your child in school district programs and activities, including extracurricular programs and activities, to the maximum extent appropriate, free of discrimination based upon the student's disability and at the same level as students without disabilities;
- receipt of free educational services to the extent they are provided students without disabilities:
- receipt of information about your child and your child's educational programs and activities in your native language;
- notice of identification of your child as having a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made and notice prior to evaluation and placement of your child and right to periodically request a re-evaluation of your child;
- inspect and review your child's educational records including a right to copy those records for a reasonable fee; you also have a right to ask the school district to amend your child's educational records if you feel the information in the records is misleading or inaccurate; should the school district refuse to amend the records, you have a right to a hearing and to place an explanatory letter in your child's file explaining why you feel the records are misleading or inaccurate;
- hearing before an impartial hearing officer if you disagree with your child's evaluation or placement; you have a right to counsel at the hearing and have the decision of the impartial hearing officer reviewed.
Inquiries concerning the school district's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), § 504 or Iowa Code § 280.3 should be directed to:
Director of Curriculum
Fairfield Community School District
A.C.T. Center
403 South 20th Street
Fairfield, Iowa 52556-4243
(Telephone No. 641-472-2655)
who has been designated by the school district to coordinate the school district's efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, the ADA, § 504 and Iowa Code 280.3.
Approved:
Reviewed: Aug 25, 2014
Revised: Aug 25, 2014
102.R1 - Grievance Procedure
102.R1 - Grievance ProcedureStudents, parents 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.
Level One - Principal, Immediate Supervisor or
Personnel Contact Person
(Informal and Optional - may be bypassed by the grievant)
Employees with a complaint of discrimination based upon their gender, race, national origin, creed, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity 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, creed, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability are encouraged to first discuss it with the personnel contact person. This paragraph is for employees and “marital status” isn’t a protected class for employees.
A student, or a parent of a student, with a complaint of discrimination based upon their gender, race, national origin, creed, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability are encouraged to discuss it with the instructor, counselor, supervisor, building administrator, program administrator or personnel contact person directly involved.
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 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 may 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.
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 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, the parents 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 within five 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 Curriculum Director
Office Address 403 South 20th Street, Fairfield, IA 52556-4243
Phone Number 641-472-2655
Office Hours 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Approved: Sep 15, 2014
Reviewed: Aug 18, 2014
Revised: Aug 18, 2014