AC
NONDISCRIMINATION / EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Public schools have the responsibility to overcome, insofar as possible, any barriers that prevent children from achieving their potential. The Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District will do its part. This commitment to the communities of Ashburnham and Westminster is affirmed by the following statements that the School Committee intends to:
Promote the rights and responsibilities of all individuals as set forth in the State and Federal Constitutions, pertinent legislation, and applicable judicial Interpretations.
Encourage positive experiences in human values for children, youth and adults, all of whom have differing personal and family characteristics and who come from various socioeconomic, racial and ethnic groups.
Work toward a more integrated society and to enlist the support of individuals as well as groups and agencies, both private and governmental, in such an effort.
Use all appropriate communication and action techniques to air and reduce the grievances of individuals and groups.
Carefully consider, in all the decisions made within the school system, the potential benefits or adverse consequences that those decisions might have on the human relations aspects of all segments of society.
Initiate a process of reviewing policies and practices of the school system in order to achieve to the greatest extent possible the objectives of this statement.
The Committee's policy of nondiscrimination will extend to students, staff, the general public, and individuals with whom it does business. No person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to or employment in The Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District or in obtaining the advantages, privileges, and courses of study of such public school or employment therein on account of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, or disability.
It is the responsibility of students, and especially staff, to immediately report any knowledge of discrimination and/or harassment to the Title IX Officer, building principal or immediate supervision.
Retaliation against an individual who has reported a violation of this policy, discrimination or cooperated with an investigation will not be tolerated. Individuals who have been subjected to or witnessed retaliation should make a report to the Title IX compliance officer, a building principal or immediate supervisor.
If someone has a complaint or feels that they have been discriminated against because of their race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national Origin, sexual orientation, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, or disability, their complaint should be registered with the Title IX compliance officer. This officer will be appointed yearly by the Superintendent of Schools with notification of the School Committee. All students
and employees will be notified of the name and office address and telephone number of the compliance officer.
AWRSD Policy KE Public Complaints/Concerns provides information for filing a complaint and AWRSD
Policy ACAB Sexual Harassment identifies Title IX Officers.
SOURCE: MASC
LEGAL REFS: Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972
Executive Order 11246, as amended by E.O. 11375
Equal Pay Act, as amended by the Education Amendments of 1972
Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
M.G.L. 71B:1 et seq. (Chapter 766 of the Acts of 1972)
M.G.L. 76:5; Amended 1993
M.G.L.76:16
603 CMR 26:00 Amended 2012
603CMR 28.00
CROSS REFS: ACA – Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex
ACE – Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap
ACAC - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity
First Reading: 07/20/04 Second Reading: 08/24/04 ADOPTED: 09/14/04 Revised & Re-Adopted: 02/11/14
Revised * Re-Adopted: -1/05/21