102 - Educational Equity Policy Statement

It is the policy of the Algona Community School not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, socio-economic status, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexial orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies as required by Title VI and VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

It is also the policy of this district that the curriculum content and instructional materials utilized reflect the cultural and racial diversity present in the United States and the variety of careers, roles, and life styles open to women as well as men in our society. One of the objectives of the total curriculum and teaching strategies is to reduce stereotyping and to eliminate bias on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, religion and disability race, color, national origin, creed, socio-economic status, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status or disability. The curriculum should foster respect and appreciation for the cultural diversity found in our country and an awareness of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of each individual as a member of a pluralistic society.

Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, Title VI, or Section 504 may be directed to the Curriculum Equity Coordinator, 600 S. Hale St., Algona, Iowa 50511, 515-295-3528; to the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Des Moines, Iowa; or to the Director of the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Kansas City, Missouri.

Legal Reference:
(Code of Iowa)
20 U.S.C. §§ 1221 et seq. (2006).
20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq. (2006).
20 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq. (2006).
29 U.S.C. § 794 (2006).
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq. (2006).
34 C.F.R. Pt. 100 (2006).
34 C.F.R. Pt. 104 (2006).
Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 256.11,
280.3 (2009). 281 I.A.C. 12.19B, 19B.11, 601A

Date of Adoption:
October 14, 1985

Date of Review:
November 11, 1996

Date of Revisions:
October 12, 2020

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 01/16/2020 - 09:32

102.E1 - Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Algona Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agricultural Business and Management
Construction Trades
Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician
Business/Commerce General
Health Services
Family and Consumer Science
Automotive

It is the policy of the Algona 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 the Equity Coordinator, 600 S. Hale St. Algona, Iowa 50511, 515-295-3528.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 01/16/2020 - 09:36

102.E2 - Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 01/16/2020 - 09:37

102.E3 - Notice of Section 504 Student and Parental Rights

The Algona 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 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; and

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.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 01/16/2020 - 09:39

102.E4 - Complaint Form

See form attached.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 01/16/2020 - 09:40

File Attachments

102.E4 Complaint Form.pdf

102.E5 - Witness Disclosure Form

See form attached.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 01/16/2020 - 09:56

File Attachments

102.E5 Witness Disclosure Form_1.pdf

102.E6 - Disposition of Complaint Form

See form attached.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 01/16/2020 - 09:58

File Attachments

102.E6 Disposition of Complaint Form.pdf

102.R1 - Grievance Procedure

It is the policy of the Algona 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 the Equity Coordinator, 600 S. Hale St. Algona, IA 50511 515-295-3528.

Students, parents of students, employees, and applicants for employment in the school district have the right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination. The district has policies and procedures in place to identify and investigate complaints alleging discrimination. If appropriate, the district will take steps to prevent the recurrence of discrimination and to correct its discriminatory effects on the Complainant and others.

A Complainant may attempt to resolve the problem informally by discussing the matter with a building principal or a direct supervisor. However, the Complainant has the right to end the informal process at any time and pursue the formal grievance procedures outlined below. Use of the informal or formal grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies. Please note that informal processes and procedures are not to be used in certain circumstances (e.g., sexual harassment and sexual assault).

Filing a Complaint
A Complainant who wishes to avail himself/herself of this grievance procedure may do so by filing a complaint with the equity coordinator(s). An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the equity coordinator or superintendent committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 180 days of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the Complainant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The Complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The equity coordinator(s) shall assist the Complainant as needed.

Investigation
Within 15 working days, the equity coordinator will begin the investigation of the complaint or appoint a qualified person to undertake the investigation (hereinafter “equity coordinator”). If the Complainant is under 18 years of age, the equity coordinator shall notify his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) that they may attend investigatory meetings in which the Complainant is involved. The complaint and identity of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy. The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following:

A request for the Complainant to provide a written statement regarding the nature of the complaint;
A request for the individual named in the complaint to provide a written statement;
A request for witnesses identified during the course of the investigation to provide a written statement;
Interivews of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses;
An opportunity to present witnesses or other relevant information; and
Review and collection of documentation or information deemed relevant to he investigation

Within 60 working days, the equity coordinator shall complete the investigation and issue a report with respect to the findings.

The equity coordinator shall notify the Complainant and Respondent of the decision with 5 working days of completing the written report. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.

Decision and Appeal

The complaint is closed after the equity coordinator has issued the report, unless with 10 working days after receiving the decision, either party appeals the decision to the superintendent by making a written request detailing why he/she believes the decision should be reconsidered. The equity coordinator shall promptly forward all materials relative to the complaint and appeal to the superintendent. With 30 working days, the superintendent shall affirm, reverse, amend the

decision, or direct the equity coordinator to gather additional information. The superintendent shall notify the Complainant, Respondent, and the equity coordinator of the decision with 5 working days of the decision. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.

The decision of the superintendent shall be final.

The decision of the superintendent in no way prejudices a party from seeking redress through state or federal agencies as provided by in law.

This policy and procedures are to be used for complaints of discrimination, in lieu of any other general complaint policies or procedures that may be available.

If any of the stated timeframes cannot be met by the district, the district will notify the parties and pursue completion as promptly as possible.

Retaliation against any person, because the person has filed a complaint or assisted or participated in an investigation, is prohibited. Persons found to have engaged in retaliation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures.

dawn@iowaschoo… Thu, 01/16/2020 - 10:01