NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, “Protected Classes”) in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

The Superintendent shall appoint and publicize the name of the compliance officer(s) who is/are responsible for coordinating the District’s efforts to comply with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, including the District’s duty to address in a prompt and equitable manner any inquiries or complaints regarding discrimination or denial of equal access.  The Compliance Officer(s) shall also verify that proper notice of nondiscrimination for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (as amended), Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, and Section 504 of the rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended), is provided to students, their parents, staff members, and the general public.

 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FOR NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ACCESS

Section I
Any person who believes that s/he has been discriminated against or denied equal opportunity or access to programs or services may file a complaint, which shall be referred to as a grievance, with the District’s Title IX Coordinator:

Edie T. Valentine
Director of Personnel
Title IX Coordinator
23500 Mac Arthur Blvd.
Warren, MI  48089-1741
586-758-8337
shelton.edie@vdps.net

 Section II
The person who believes s/he has a valid basis for grievance shall discuss the grievance informally and on a verbal basis with the District Title IX Coordinator, who shall in turn investigate the complaint and reply with an answer to the complainant.  S/he may initiate formal procedures according to the following steps:

Step 1
A written statement of the grievance signed by the complainant shall be submitted to the District Title IX Coordinator within five (5) business days of receipt of answers to the informal complaint.  The Coordinator shall further investigate the matters of 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 District Title IX Coordinator, s/he may submit a signed statement of appeal to the Superintendent with five (5) business days after receipt of the Coordinator’s response.  The Superintendent shall meet with all parties involved, formulate a conclusion, and respond in writing to the complainant within ten (10) business days.

 Step 3
If the complainant remains unsatisfied, s/he may appeal through a signed written statement to the Board within five (5) business days of his/her receipt of the Superintendent’s response in step two.  In an attempt to resolve the grievance, the Board of Education shall meet with the concerned parties and their representative within twenty (20) business days of the receipt of such an appeal.  A copy of the Board’s disposition of the appeal shall be sent to each concerned party within ten (10) business days of this meeting.

The District Title IX Coordinator will provide a copy of the District’s grievance procedure to any person who files a complaint and will investigate all complaints in accordance with this procedure.  A copy of each of the Acts and the regulations on which this notice is based, may be found in the Title IX Coordinator’s office.

VDPS Bylaws and Policies
TITLE IX Training