Assistant Principal - Affirmative Action

I am the Affirmative Action Officer for the BCIT - Westampton Campus for both students and staff. If you are in need of reporting an incident of Harassment or Discrimination, please complete the form below and forward it to Valerie Lee, vlee@burlcoschools.org

AAO reporting form.pdf

Affirmative Action

Please review this PowerPoint in regards the scope and importance of having an Affirmative Action Policy within our school.

Burlington County Institute of Technology Harassment and/or Discrimination Process

The Burlington County Institute of Technology School District per Board Policy #2260 declares that each child in the district shall be provided an equal opportunity to achieve his or her maximum potential through the programs offered in these schools unhindered by discriminatory attitudes or practices based on distinctions of race, color, and national origin (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964), sex (Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972), disability (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) (Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act) and age (Age Discrimination Act of 19750, as well as, creed, religion, place of residence, or social or economic background (New Jersey Administrative Code 6:4, Equity in Educational Programs). Board Policy #5751 further states that it is the policy of the Board of Education to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from sexual harassment.

Per Board Policy #3362 Affirmative Action/Sexual Harassment for Employees, the Burlington County Institute of Technology Board of Education recognizes that an employee’s right to freedom from employment discrimination includes the opportunity to work in an environment untainted by sexual harassment, as well as equal access to all categories and conditions of employment, retention and advancement regardless of race, color, age creed, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, social or economic status, political affiliation, marital status or non-applicable handicap

The Board of Education acknowledges the need for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints and the inclusion of an appeal process for the complainant and/or accused. The Affirmative Action Officer, upon receipt of a written complaint, will immediately initiate an investigation of the matter. The investigative time frame shall be of a short duration (five days) except in exceptional cases that may require extensions. Upon completion of the Affirmative Action Officer’s investigation, a final report with recommendations for action shall be presented to the chief school administrator, the accused and the complainant. Should the findings and/or remedy be appealed by the complainant, and/or accused (within ten working days to the Superintendent), the Affirmative Action Officer will immediately consult with the chief school administrator and promptly report (within five working days) the findings to the complainant and accused. If the complainant is not satisfied at this level, an appeal may be made within ten working days to the Burlington County Institute of Technology Board of Education who will hear the complaint at the next regular meeting or within thirty calendar days. The Board hearing shall be conducted so as to accord due process to all parties involved in the complaint such as written notice of hearing dates, right to counsel, right to present witnesses, right to cross examine and to present written statement. The decision of the board shall be by a majority of the members at a meeting that shall be public. Further appeals may be made to the County Superintendent of Schools, the New Jersey Commissioner of Education, New Jersey Office of Civil Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the U.S. Office of Civil Rights.