102 EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
It is the goal of the board to develop a healthy, social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in the students enrolled in the school district. Each student attending school will have the opportunity to use its education program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual growth. In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that assures each student the same educational opportunity.
The Morning Sun Community School District does not 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. The belief in equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to school district facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Mike Peterson, 311 Division Street, Morning Sun, Iowa 52640, 319.868.7701 or mike.peterson@mscsd.org.
Board policies, rules, and regulations affect students while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdicdtion of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management, and welfare of the school district.
The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including ubt not limited to complaints of discrimination, are directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Morning Sun Community School District or by telephoning the school district office.
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Region VII office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604. (312) 730-1560, fax (312) 730-1576 OCR, Chicago@ed.gov, the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner, https:///icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121, or the Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319, (515) 281-5294. This inquiry or complaint to the federal of state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1221 et seq.
20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
20 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq.
29 U.S.C. § 206 et seq.
29 U.S.C. § 794
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d and 2000e.
42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
34 C.F.R. Pt. 100.
34 C.F.R. Pt. 104.
Iowa Code §§ 216.6; 216.9; 256.11; 280.3.
281 I.A.C. 12.
Cross Reference: 101 Educational Philosophy of the School District
401.1 Equal Employment Opportunity
500 Objectives for Equal Educational Opportunities for Students
506 Student Records
Approved 08/23/94
Reviewed 09/16/96; 8/11/99; 12/13/04; 10/14/09; 10/08/14; 10/15/19; 10/14/24
Revised 08/13/07; 9/17/18; 12/8/2020
MORNING SUN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code No. 102.E1
ANNUAL NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
It is the policy of the Morning Sun 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 Mike Peterson, 311 Division Street, Morning Sun, Iowa 52640, 319.868.7701 or mike.peterson@mscsd.org.
Code No. 102.E2
CONTINUOUS NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
It is the policy of the Morning Sun 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 Mike Peterson, Superintendent, 311 Division Street, Morning Sun, Iowa 52640, 319.868.7701 or mike.peterson@mscsd.org
Code No. 102.E3
NOTICE OF SECTION 504 STUDENT AND PARENTAL RIGHTS
The Morning Sun 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:
It is the policy of the Morning Sun 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 Mike Peterson, Superintendent, 311 Division Street, Morning Sun, Iowa 52640, 319.868.7701 or mike.peterson@mscsd.org
MORNING SUN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code No. 102.E4
COMPLAINT FORM
(Discrimination, Anti-Bullying, and Anti-Harassment)
Date of complaint:
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Name of Complainant:
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Are you filling out this form for yourself or someone else (please identify the individual if you are submitting on behalf of someone else):
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Who or what entity do you believe discriminated against, harassed, or bullied you (or someone else)?
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Date and place of alleged incident(s): |
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Names of any witnesses (if any): |
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Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):
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Physical Attribute |
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Sex |
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Disability |
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Physical/Mental Ability |
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Sexual Orientation |
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Familial Status |
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Political Belief |
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Socio-economic Background |
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Gender Identity |
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Political Party Preference |
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Other – Please Specify: |
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Marital Status |
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Race/Color |
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National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry |
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Religion/Creed |
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In the space below, please describe what happened and why you believe that you or someone else has been discriminated against, harassed, or bullied. Please be as specific as possible and attach additional pages if necessary.
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I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________
MORNING SUN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code No. 102.E5
WITNESS DISCLOSURE FORM
Name of Witness: |
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Date of interview:
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Date of initial complaint:
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Name of Complainant (include whether the Complainant is a student or employee): |
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Date and place of alleged incident(s): |
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Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):
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Age |
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Physical Attribute |
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Sex |
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Disability |
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Physical/Mental Ability |
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Sexual Orientation |
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Familial Status |
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Political Belief |
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Socio-economic Background |
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Gender Identity |
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Political Party Preference |
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Other – Please Specify: |
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Marital Status |
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Race/Color |
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National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry |
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Religion/Creed |
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Description of incident witnessed: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Additional information: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________
MORNING SUN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTOR
Code No. 102.E6
DISPOSITION OF COMPLAINT FORM
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Date of Initial Complaint
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Name of Complainant (include whether the Complainant is a student or employee): :
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Date and Place of Alleged Incident(s) |
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Name of Respondent (include whether the respondent is a student or employee) |
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_____________________________________________________ |
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Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):
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Age |
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Physical Attribute |
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Sex |
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Disability |
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Physical/Mental Ability |
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Sexual Orientation |
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Familial Status |
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Political Belief |
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Socio-economic Background |
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Gender Identity |
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Political Party Preference |
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Other – Please Specify: |
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Marital Status |
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Race/Color |
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National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry |
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Religion/Creed |
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Summary of Investigation: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.
Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________
MORNING SUN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTOR
Code No. 103.R1
Page 1 of 2
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
It is the policy of the Morning Sun 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 Mike Peterson, Superintendent, 311 Division Street, Morning Sun, Iowa 52640, 319.868.7701 or mike.peterson@mscsd.org.
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:
Code No. 103.R1
Page 2 of 2
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 within 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 within 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. Within 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 within 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.
MORNING SUN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS