EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

            The Board of Education, its officers and employees, shall not discriminate against any student, employee, or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, marital status, sex, age, or disability.

            This policy of nondiscrimination includes:  access by students to educational programs, counseling services for students, course offerings, and student activities; as well as recruitment and appointment of employees and employment pay, benefits, advancement and/or terminations.

             The Board authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to establish such rules, regulations and procedures necessary to implement and maintain this policy.

STAFF COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES

            The Board of Education believes that a more harmonious and cooperative relationship between the school district and its employees may be established through procedures for the settlement of certain complaints and grievances in accordance with appropriate due process standards.  Thus, the district shall implement a multi-stage grievance procedure for the prompt and equitable resolution of grievances pursuant to General Municipal Law Section 682(4), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which are not covered by any applicable collective bargaining agreement.  Staff members have the right to present complaints and grievances in accordance with the established procedures free from coercion, interference, restraint, discrimination or reprisal.

Annual Notification

            At the beginning of each school year, the district shall publish a notice of the established grievance procedures for resolving complaints of discrimination due to sex and/or disability to the parents/guardians of students, employees, students and the community.  The public notice shall:

1.         state that the district's education programs are offered without regard to race, color, national origin, creed or religion, sex, age, marital status, or disability;

2.         provide the name, address and telephone number of the person designated to coordinate activities concerning discrimination due to sex and/or disability; and

3.         be included in announcements, bulletins, catalogues, and applications made available by the district.