Non-Discrimination Statement & Procedures

Non-Discrimination Statement and Procedures

The Dover Sherborn Public Schools do not discriminate in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its services, programs, activities, on the basis of race, color, or origin, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI); on the basis of sex, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972: on the basis of disability, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); on the basis of age, in accordance with the Age Discrimination Act of 1974 (Age Discrimination Act); or on the basis of homelessness in accordance with The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. Furthermore, in accordance with M.G.L. c.76 s.5 Dover, Sherborn, and Dover Sherborn Schools do not exclude or discriminate against students in admission or in obtaining its advantages, privileges, or courses of study on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or homelessness.

Process for Filing a Complaint

Inquiries concerning the application of Title VI, Title IX/Chapter 622 and Section 504 in the Dover Sherborn Public Schools may be referred to an Equity Coordinator or the building’s Headmaster/Principal. All inquiries concerning the protection and rights afforded to persons in the other protected categories (color, religion, sexual orientation, homelessness) may be referred to an equity coordinator or to the Assistant Superintendent of Schools at 157 Farm Street, Dover, MA 02030.

The telephone number is 508.785.0036.

Inquiries concerning the applicability of the aforementioned federal laws and regulations to the Dover Sherborn Public Schools may also be referred to the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), J.W. McCormack POCH, Boston, MA 02109-4557, 617-223-9662, TTY 617-223-9695. Concerns relating to the implementation of the Massachusetts equal educational opportunity law (M. G. L. c. 76 s.5) may be directed to the Massachusetts Department of Education, Program Quality Assurance, 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148, 781-338-3700.

In lieu of filing a complaint with the Dover Sherborn Public Schools, a complaint may be filed directly with the OCR within 180 days of the alleged discrimination or harassment. In addition, a complaint may be filed with OCR within 60 days of receiving notice of final disposition of the complaint by the Dover Sherborn Public Schools, or in certain instances, within 60 days of receiving a final decision from the Bureau of Special Appeal (BSEA). Please note that a complaint filed with OCR is limited to issues of discrimination and harassment. OCR has no jurisdiction over compliance with state and federal special education laws.

Grievance Procedures for Discrimination Violations

Any student or school employee who feels that he or she has been discriminated against because of age, race, color, national origin, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or homelessness with regard to admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its services, programs and activities should utilize the following procedure to register a grievance with the Dover Sherborn Public Schools:

• 1. Students or employees should submit any allegation of discrimination in writing to their building Headmaster/Principal for consideration. The nature of the complaint should be specified in detail.

  2. The Headmaster/Principal or his/her designee will investigate the allegations and respond to the complaint in writing within fifteen (15) school days of the receipt of the written complaint.

  3. If the matter is not resolved, the complainant may appeal in writing to the Grievance Coordinator, Assistant Superintendent of Schools. The Coordinator will meet with the complainant and respond within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the written complaint.

  4. If at the end of ten (10) school days following the written response from the Grievance Coordinator the matter remains unresolved, the complainant has the right to appeal to the Superintendent of Schools in writing.

  5. The Superintendent will investigate the complaint and respond in writing to the complainant within fifteen (15) school days after having received the complaint.

  6. If the matter remains unresolved, the complainant may appeal in writing to the appropriate school committee within ten (10) school days of the receipt of the Superintendent’s response. The school committee will meet within fifteen (15) days to review and consider the matter. The committee will respond to the complainant in writing within fifteen (15) school days following the meeting.

Since it is important that grievances be processed as rapidly as possible, the number of days indicated at each level should be considered a maximum, and every effort should be made to expedite the process.

The Grievance Coordinator for the Dover Sherborn Public Schools is:

Assistant Superintendent of Schools

157 Farm Street, Dover

The phone number is 508.785.0036

The Equity Coordinators are:

Dover Sherborn High School Dover Sherborn Middle School

Kirsten Stantos & Paul Butterworth Callie Egan & Mark Thompson

9 Junction Street, Dover 155 Farm Street, Dover

Telephone: 508.785.1730 Telephone: 508.785.0635

Chickering Elementary School Pine Hill Elementary School

Ken Wadness Laurie Ryan & Maury Frieman

29 Cross Street, Dover 10 Pine Hill Lane, Sherborn

Telephone: 508.785.0480 Telephone: 508.655.0630