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AAO

In keeping with federal/state anti discrimination legislation, the Eastampton Township School District (ETSD) Board of Education has adopted and hereby publishes the Grievance Procedure provided for the resolution of student, employee, and parent complaints.

 

Purpose:

To provide students, employees, and parents a procedure by which they can seek a remedy for alleged violations related to discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, sex, ancestry, national origin, or socioeconomic status.


Definitions:

Grievance – A formal written complaint

Grievant – Any student, employee, or parent aggrieved by a decision or condition falling under the guidelines of federal and/or state anti-discrimination laws.

Affirmative Action Officer – The district employee designated to coordinate efforts with anti discrimination legislation and charged with responsibility of investigating complaints.

 

Procedure:

  • Step #1 - The grievant must present the complaint in written form to the responsible person designated as the Affirmative Action Officer.  (Use Grievance Report - Form A or Link)
  • Step #2 - The Affirmative Action Officer will investigate and respond to the grievant within five working days.   (Use Space on Grievance Report - Form A)
  • Step #3 - If not satisfied, the grievant may appeal to the Superintendent or designee within 10 working days (not Affirmative Action Officer).   (Use Appeal - Form B)
  • Step #4 - Response by the Superintendent or designee will be given within five working days. (Superintendent to use space provided on Appeal Form)
  • Step #5 - If the grievant is not satisfied at this level, an appeal may be made within ten working days to the Board of Education which will hear the complaint at the next regular meeting or within thirty calendar days.    (Use Appeal - Form C) Local Board hearing shall be conducted so as to accord due process to all parties involved in the complaint such as written notice of hearing dates, right to counsel, right to present witnesses, right to cross-examine and to present written statement. The decision of the Board shall be by a majority of the members at a meeting which shall be public. 
  • Step #6 – The ETSD Board of Education shall respond to the grievant within thirty calendar days.   (Use Space on Appeal - Form C)
  • Step #7 - If the grievant is not satisfied with the Board's decision, the grievant can have it referred to the County Superintendent of Schools.
  • Step #8 - The grievant maintains the right to by-pass the grievance procedure and submit the complaint directly to any or all of the following agencies:

 

1. The Commissioner of Education Bureau of Controversies and Disputes: NJ Department of Education 
PO Box 500
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Phone: (609) 292-5705

2. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Newark District Office 
1 Newark Center, 21st Floor 
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Phone: 800-669-4000 or 973-645-6383

3. U.S. Office for Civil Rights 
U.S. Department of Education 
32 Old Slip, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10005-2500
Phone 646-428-3900 or TDD: 877-521-2172
Email: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov

4. New Jersey Division on Civil Rights 
140 East Front Street, 6th Floor
P0 Box 090
Trenton, NJ 08625-0090
Phone: 609-292-4605 or TDD 609-292-1785

 

Additional References:

Affirmative Action - Discrimination/ Harassment Complaint Form

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION OFFICER:

Nicole McGann
Curriculum Supervisor/ Assistant Principal
nmcgann@etsdnj.us
(609) 267-9172 ext. 124