Code No.  102.E1

 

SECTION 504 NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

 

It is the policy of the Oskaloosa Community School District not to illegally 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.  Any person having inquiries concerning the school district's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 504 or Iowa Code 280.3 is directed to contact:

 

(Title)  Chad Vink

(where located)  Central Office

(telephone number)  641-673-8345

 

who has been designated by the school district to coordinate the school district’s efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the ADA, 504 and Iowa Code 280.3 (2007).

                                                           

Code No.  102.E4

 

SECTION 504 STUDENT AND PARENTAL RIGHTS

 

The Oskaloosa 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 a 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;

• 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.

Inquires concerning the school district’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 504 or Iowa Code 280.3 should be directed to:

Director of Student Services, Melanie Hatch                                                    

Oskaloosa Central Office 641-673-8345

who has been designated by the school district to coordinate the school district’s efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, the ADA, 504 and Iowa Code 280.3 (2001).

 

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Series 100

 

Administrative Regulation:  Grievance Procedure

Code No.  102.R1

 

It is the policy of the Oskaloosa Community School District not to illegally 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.

Students, parents of students, employees, and applicants for employment in the school district will have the right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination under federal or state regulations requiring non-discrimination in programs and employment.

Level One – Principal, Immediate Supervisor or Personnel Contact Person

Employees with a complaint of discrimination based upon their gender, race, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability are encouraged to first discuss it with their immediate supervisor, with the objective of resolving the matter informally.  An applicant for employment with a complaint of discrimination based upon their gender, race, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability are encouraged to first discuss it with the personnel contact person.  This paragraph is for employees and “marital status” isn’t a protected class for employees.

A student, or a parent of a student, with a complaint of discrimination based upon their gender, race, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability are encouraged to discuss it with the instructor, counselor, supervisor, building administrator, program administrator or personnel contact person directly involved.

Level Two – Compliance Officer

If the grievance is not resolved at level one and the grievant wishes to pursue the grievance, the grievant may formalize it by filing a complaint in writing on a Grievance Filing Form, which may be obtained from the Compliance Officer.  The complaint will state the nature of the grievance and the remedy requested.  The filing of the formal, written complaint at level two must be within 15 working days from the date of the event giving rise to the grievance, or from the date the grievant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence.  The grievant may request that a meeting concerning the complaint be held with the Compliance Officer.  A minor student may be accompanied at that meeting by a parent or guardian.  The Compliance Officer will investigate the complaint and attempt to resolve it.  A written report from the Compliance Officer regarding action taken will be sent to the involved parties within a reasonable time after receipt of the complaint.

Level Three – Superintendent/Administrator

If the complaint is not resolved at level two, the grievant may appeal it to level three by presenting a written appeal to the superintendent within five working days after the grievant receives the report from the Compliance Officer, the grievant may request a meeting with the Superintendent.  The superintendent may request a meeting with the grievant to discuss the appeal.  A decision will be rendered by the superintendent within a reasonable time after the receipt of the written appeal.  If, in cases of disability grievances at the elementary and secondary level, the issue is not resolved through the grievance process, rather, the parents have a right to an impartial hearing to resolve the issue.

This procedure in no way denies the right of the grievant to file formal complaints with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or Office of Special Education Programs, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the Iowa Department of Education for mediation or rectification of civil rights grievances, or to seek private counsel for complaints alleging discrimination.

Level Four – Appeal to Board

If the grievant is not satisfied with the superintendent’s decision, the grievant can file an appeal with the Board within five working days of the decision.  It is within the discretion of the Board to determine whether it will hear the appeal.

The Compliance Officer is: 

Name:  Marcia DeVore

Office Address:  1800 North 3^rd St., Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577

Phone Number:  641-673-8345

Office Hours:  8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday

 

Approved:    December 10, 2002

Reviewed:    May 9, 2017 

Revised:       February 27, 2024