0000 Mission Statement
The Board of Education recognizes that to govern effectively, it must clearly define why the district exists and what it aspires to be. The Board therefore adopts the following mission statement to convey the district’s purpose, and vision to set forth what the district should strive to become in the future.
Mission Statement
The Menands School District, in partnership with students, teachers, parents and the community, is committed to excellence. We prepare students to excel in all areas of learning, encourage them to respect cultural diversity, and expect them to become valued members of society. We strive to develop life-long learners within a safe, nurturing and supportive environment. By creating innovative, well-balanced programs that challenge the unique abilities of all students, we are able to nurture each child’s potential. We are educating the leaders of tomorrow and believe that children come first.
Cross-ref: 0300, Accountability
4000, Student Learning Standards and Instructional Guidelines
Adoption date: 4/25/2017
0100 Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination
The Board of Education, its officers and employees, shall not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability or predisposing genetic characteristic. The district will provide notice of this policy in accordance with federal and state law and regulation.
This policy of nondiscrimination includes access by students to educational programs, counseling services for students, course offerings, and student activities, as well as recruitment and appointment of employees and employment pay, benefits, advancement and/or terminations.
The Board of Education, its officers and employees shall not discriminate against students on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sex; sexual orientation, or gender (including gender identity and expression).
A finding that an individual has engaged in conduct in violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action and/or filing of a report with third parties in the manner prescribed by the district code of conduct, the law or applicable contract.
Nothing in this policy shall be construed to prohibit a denial of admission into, or exclusion from, a course of instruction or activity based on a person’s gender that would be permissible under the law, or to prohibit, as discrimination based on disability, actions that would be permissible under the law.
Annual Notification
At the beginning of each school year, the district shall publish a notice of the established grievance procedures for resolving complaints of discrimination to parents/guardians, employees, students and the community. The public notice shall:
- inform parents, employees, students and the community that education programs, including but not limited to vocational programs, are offered without regard to actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sex; sexual orientation, or gender (including gender identity and expression);
- provide the name, address and telephone number of the person designated to coordinate activities concerning discrimination; and
- be included in announcements, bulletins, catalogs, and applications made available by the district.
The Superintendent or his/her designee as indicated at the annual reorganizational meeting has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the district’s non-discrimination policies. Contact information for the Superintendent or his/her designee is available on the district’s website. Complaints of sexual harassment or discrimination are covered by policy 0110.
All complainants and those who participate in the investigation of a complaint in conformity with state law and district policies, who have acted reasonably and in good faith, have the right to be free from retaliation of any kind.
The Board authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to establish such rules, regulations and procedures necessary to implement and maintain this policy.
Cross-ref: 0110, Sexual Harassment
5030, Student Complaints and Grievances
5300, Code of Conduct
9140.1, Staff Complaints and Grievances
Ref: Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 29 U.S.C. §621 et seq.
Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.
Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000d et seq. (nondiscrimination based on race, color, and national origin in federally assisted programs)
Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq. (nondiscrimination based on race, color, and national origin in employment)
Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq. (nondiscrimination based on sex)
§504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §794
Individuals with Disabilities Education Law, 20 U.S.C §§1400 et seq.
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 P.L. 110-233
34 C.F.R. §§ 100.6, 104.8, 106.9, 110.25
Executive Law §290 et seq. (New York State Human Rights Law)
Education Law §§10-18 (The Dignity for All Students Act)
Education Law §§313(3), 3201, 3201-a
Adoption date: 10/10/2017
0100-R Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Regulation
The procedures set forth in this regulation do not supersede any protection complainants are provided under existing state or federal law.
Definitions:
- Complainant shall mean an applicant, employee, student (or their parents) or vendor who alleges that they have been subjected to discrimination, which may be a violation of this policy, as well as a violation of federal or state law or associated regulations, which has affected him/her.
- Complaint shall mean any alleged act of discrimination which may be a violation of this policy, which may also violate federal and state civil rights laws or associated regulations.
- Compliance Officer shall mean the employee designated by the Board of Education to coordinate efforts to comply with and carry out responsibilities under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 and the ADA. The district’s compliance officer is: Designated annually at the reorganization meeting.
The investigation and resolution of any complaints alleging an action prohibited by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the ADA, in consultation with legal counsel, as warranted, shall be dealt with in the following prompt, equitable and impartial manner:
A. Stage I Compliance Officer
- As soon as practicable, if possible within 30 days after the events giving rise to the allegation, the complainant shall file a complaint, preferably in writing using the district’s complaint form, with the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer may informally discuss the complaint with the complainant. He/She shall promptly and thoroughly investigate the matter. All employees and students of the school district shall cooperate with the Compliance Officer in such investigation.
- The Compliance Officer shall make a finding in writing that there has or has not been a violation of the Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the ADA. Such finding shall be made promptly, in view of the totality of circumstances. In the event the Compliance Officer finds that there has been a violation, he/she shall propose a resolution of the complaint.
- If the complainant is not satisfied with the finding of the Compliance Officer, or with the proposed resolution of the complaint, the complainant may, within 15 days after he/she has received the report of the Compliance Officer, file a written request for review by the Superintendent of Schools.
B. Stage II Superintendent of Schools
- The Superintendent may request that the complainant, the Compliance Officer, student, or any member of the school district staff present a
written statement to him/her setting forth any information that such person has relative to the complaint and the facts surrounding it. - The Superintendent shall notify all parties concerned as to the time and place when an informal hearing will be held where such parties may appear and present oral and written statements supplementing their position in the case. Such hearing shall be held within 15 school days of the receipt of the appeal by the Superintendent.
- Within 15 days of the hearing, the Superintendent shall render his/her determination in writing. Such determination shall include a finding that there has or has not been a violation of the Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the ADA, and if applicable, a proposal for equitably resolving the complaint.
- If the complainant is not satisfied with the determination of the Superintendent or the proposed resolution, the complainant may, within 15 days after its receipt, file with the Clerk of the Board of Education, a written request for review by the Board.
C. Stage III Board of Education
- When a request for review by the Board has been made, the Superintendent shall submit all written statements and other materials concerning the case to the President of the Board.
- The Board shall notify all parties concerned of the time and place when a hearing will be held. Such a hearing will be held within 15 school days of the receipt of the request of the complainant.
- The Board shall render a decision in writing within 15 days after the hearing has been concluded.
Adoption date: 10/10/2017