Parent Student Grievance Policy
Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and ADA
Grievance Procedure
In accordance with Federal and State Office for Civil Rights Guidelines, any student or parent who believes the Cincinnati City School District or any of the District's staff, teachers and administrators have inadequately applied the principles of and/or regulations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, color, national origin), Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 (sex/gender), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991 (disability), may file a complaint which shall be referred to as a formal grievance.
Whenever possible and practical, an informal solution to the grievance is encouraged and should be attempted at the principal/director level. However, if an informal acceptable solution cannot be reached, the parent or student may file a formal grievance as follows:
STEP 1
The student or parent should submit a formal, written complaint to the principal or director within five working days of the date when the incident occurred or within five working days of the date the employee reasonably should have known that the incident occurred. A copy of the formal, written complaint must be forwarded to the Director of Student Services.
The principal/director shall have five working days from the date of receiving the complaint to resolve the grievance.
If the student's or parent's complaint is with the principal/director, the employee may forego Step 1 and file the complaint directly in Step 2.
STEP 2
If not resolved at Step 1, the decision may be appealed to the Director of Student Services within five working days. The Director of Student Services shall have five working days from the date of receiving the complaint to resolve the grievance.
STEP 3
If not resolved at Step 2, the decision may be appealed to the Superintendent within five working days. The Superintendent shall have the final authority to resolve the grievance or to determine that the grievance is unsubstantiated.
The Superintendent and/or Office of General Counsel may assign an investigator to gather relevant documents, interview witnesses, and make a recommendation as to necessary action. If the investigation reveals that the complaint is valid, then prompt, appropriate remedial and/or disciplinary action will be taken immediately to prevent the continuance of the harassment or its recurrence.
The district recognizes that determining whether a particular action or incident is harassment or, conversely, is reflective of an action without a discriminatory or intimidating intent or effect must be based on all of the facts in the matter. Given the nature of harassing behavior, the district recognizes that false accusations can have serious effects on innocent individuals. Therefore, all students and parents are expected to act responsibly, honestly, and with the utmost candor whenever they present discrimination allegations or charges against fellow students, a staff member, or others associated with the district, or third parties.
Some forms of sexual harassment of a student by another student may be considered a form of child abuse which would require that the student-abuser be reported to proper authorities in compliance with state law. This guideline does not negate the requirement for reporting suspected child abuse to the proper authorities in compliance with state law.