NONDISCRIMINATION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

The School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex and other protected categories in its education programs and activities, as required by federal and state laws and regulations.

The School District prohibits discrimination, including harassment, of school employees on the basis of:

·         Race (including traits associated with race involving hair texture, Afro hairstyles and protective hairstyles such as braids, twists, and locks);

·         Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions;

·         Parental, family, or marital status;

·         Color;

·         Religion;

·         Ancestry or national origin;

·         Age;

·         Disability; and

·         Genetic information.

The School District prohibits discrimination, including harassment, of students on the basis of:

·         Race (including traits associated with race involving hair texture, Afro hairstyles and protective hairstyles such as braids, twists, and locks);

·         Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions;

·         Parental, family, or marital status;

·         Color;

·         Religion;

·         Ancestry or national origin; and

·         Disability.

The Board directs the school administration to implement a continuing program designed to prevent discrimination against all applicants, employees, students and other individuals having access rights to school premises, program, and activities.

The School District has designated and authorized an Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator who is responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal and state requirements prohibiting discrimination, including sexual/sex-based harassment.  The Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator is a person with direct access to the Superintendent. 

The School District has implemented complaint procedures for resolving complaints of discrimination and harassment under this policy.  The school unit provides required notices of non-discrimination policies and complaint procedures, how they can be accessed, and the school unit’s compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations to all applicants for employment, employees, students, parents, and other interested parties.

Legal Reference:         

Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-261), amending Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000 (e) et seq.)

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.); 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX regulations)

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d)

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.)

Equal Pay Act of 1963 (29 U.S.C. § 206)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) (29 U.S.C. § 794 et seq.), as amended

Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.), as amended

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. § 2000ff et seq.)

Maine Human Rights Act (5 MRSA § 4551 et seq.), as amended

Cross Reference:

ACAA - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students

ACAA-R – Student Discrimination/Harassment and Title IX Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures

ACAB - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of School Employees

ACAB-R – Employee Discrimination/Harassment and Title IX   Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures

• This is a required policy

Adopted: 11-4-1997 

Revised: 2-7-2017

Revised: 10-7-2019

Revised: 1/28/2025