KEB-R: PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
ABOUT SCHOOL PERSONNEL
The following procedures are
established to ensure that a citizen's complaint is given respectful attention
and that the integrity of the educational program is upheld. "Complaint" in
this regulation will be restricted in meaning to that criticism of particular
school employees by a citizen of the School District which includes or implies
a demand for action by school authorities. Other comments and suggestions will
be referred informally to affected personnel.
1. If a
complaint comes first to the person against whom it is directed, he/she will
listen courteously and may try to resolve the difficulty by explaining the
background and educational purpose involved. If the complaint remains
unsatisfied, the employee will refer him/her to the building Principal or other
immediate supervisor to have his/her views considered further. Whether the
complaint terminates with the individual staff member involved or seems likely
to go further, the staff member will immediately inform his/her supervisor of
the complaint.
2. If a
complaint comes first to the Principal or other supervisor of the person
criticized, he/she should listen courteously or acknowledge a letter promptly
and politely, but should make no commitments, admissions of guilt, or threats.
If the complaint involves a particular employee, the supervisor should suggest a
conference between the complainant and the person criticized and should inform
that person immediately of the complaint.
If
the complainant has already met with the person criticized and remains
unsatisfied, the supervisor should invite the complainant to file his complaint
in writing and offer to send him the appropriate form regarding a school
employee's behavior, character or qualifications.
3. If a
complaint comes first to any other school employee, that employee will refer the
complainant to the person criticized or his immediate supervisor and immediately
inform both.
4. No
further action on the complaint should be taken unless the complainant submits
the complaint in writing.
5. When a
written complaint form is received, the Principal or other supervisor will
schedule a conference with himself, the complainant, the person criticized, and
if advisable, the department chairman or other personnel that either the
supervisor or the person criticized feels could contribute resolution of the
problem.
6. If the
complainant is not satisfied with the results of the conference above, he/she
should then be referred to the Superintendent, who may handle the complaint
personally or refer it to other personnel, as he/she may see
fit.
7.
Should dissatisfaction remain after the above steps have been taken, the matter
will be placed on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled Committee
meeting. The decision of the Committee will be communicated in writing to all
interested persons.
SOURCE: MASC
LEGAL REFS.: 603 CMR 26.09
and 26.10
Adopted on: April 24,
2008