A grievance or complaint is a charge by a student or staff member that there has been a violation, misinterpretation or inequitable application of an established school policy or regulation such as harassment or discrimination.

Informal Procedure

The person who believes he/she has a valid basis for complaint shall immediately report the incident to the building administrator. The administrator will request that the nature of the complaint be put in writing and signed by the complainant. The building administrator will investigate the complaint and reply to the complainant within three (3) school days. If this reply is not acceptable to the complainant, he/ she may initiate formal procedures according to the steps listed.

Formal Procedure

Step 1 - A written statement of the grievance shall be presented to the Deputy Superintendent for Human Resources, within five (5) business days of receipt of the principal’s reply. He/she will further investigate the matters of the grievance and reply in writing to the complainant within five (5) business days.
Step 2 - If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision of the Deputy Superintendent for Human Resources, he/she may submit a signed statement of appeal to the Superintendent of Schools within five (5) business days after receipt of the Deputy Superintendent for Human Resources’ response to the grievance. The Superintendent will investigate to formulate a conclusion, and respond in writing to the grievance within ten(10) business days.
Step 3 - If the complainant remains unsatisfied, he/she may appeal through a signed, written statement to the Board of Education within five (5) business days of his/her receipt of the Superintendent’s response in Step 2. In an attempt to resolve the grievance, the Board of Education will meet with the concerned parties and their representatives within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of such an appeal. The Board Secretary shall send a copy of the Board’s disposition of the appeal to each concerned party within ten (10) business days of this meeting by certified mail.

The timelines in the above procedure are not binding and may be amended as necessary in the course of the investigation. Should one party to the process feel it necessary to deviate from the timelines within the procedure, that party should notify the other in a timely manner.

Lamphere Center

Grievance/Complaint Procedures

Harassment/Anti-Discrimination Policy and Procedure

Non-Discrimination in Education Opportunity

Right to Access Records/Privacy of Records

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Information Guide