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Grievance Procedure

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.

• Affirmative Action: Affirmative action is a policy that aims to increase opportunities in the workplace or education to underrepresented parts of society by taking into account an individual's color, race, sex, religion, or national origin. 

• Title IX: Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that states: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." 

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.

DEFINITION:   

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 (AAO) - The district employee designated to coordinate efforts with anti-discrimination legislation and charged with the responsibility of investigating complaints.

PROCEDURE:

  • Step #1 -  The grievant must present the complaint in written form (within 10 days of the incident) to the responsible person designated as the ETSD Affirmative Action Officer (AAO).
    (Use Printable Copy - click HERE or submit electronically HERE)
     
  • Step #2 - All grievants can expect a personal meeting with the AAO within five school days of the initial report. At that meeting, the employee will discuss the alleged violation with the AAO. The employee should be prepared to share the names of the witnesses who may be able to aid in the investigation. All relevant documents should also be shared. 
     
  • Step #3 - After the initial meeting with the officer, a thorough investigation will be conducted. The AAO will meet with potential witnesses and the accused. 
     
  • Step #4 - At the conclusion of the investigation, the grievant and accused will receive a determination letter from the AAO within 30 school days of the initial complaint. (If more time is needed, a letter will be sent to the grievant and accused.) A copy of the complaint and the formal report will be forwarded to the Superintendent.
     
  • Step #5 - If not satisfied, the grievant may appeal (within ten working days of receipt of the determination letter) to the Superintendent or designee (not the Affirmative Action Officer).
    (Use Appeal - Form A)
     
  • Step #6 - A written response by the ETSD Superintendent or designee must be given to the grievant within five working days.
     
  • Step #7 - If the grievant is not satisfied at this level, an appeal may be made (within ten working days of the Superintendent’s response) to the ETSD Board of Education which will hear the complaint at the next regular meeting. 
    (Use Appeal - Form B) 
     
  • Step #8 - A written response by the ETSD Board of Education must be given to the grievant within thirty calendar days.
     
  • Step #9 -  If the grievant is not satisfied with the ETSD Board's decision, the grievant can have it referred to the County Superintendent of Schools.
     
  • Step #10 - The grievant maintains the right to bypass the grievance procedure and submit the complaint directly to any or all of the following agencies:

 

The Commissioner of Education Bureau of Controversies and Disputes:

1. New Jersey 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

Grievance Procedure Forms