Notification of Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the Seymour Community School District that no person may be denied admission to any public school in this district or be denied the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any curricular, extracurricular, pupil service, recreational, or other program or activity because of the person’s sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability or handicap as required by s. 118.13, WI stats.
This policy also prohibits discrimination as defined by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race and national origin), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The district encourages informal resolution of complaints under this policy. A formal complaint resolution procedure is available, however, to address allegation of violations of the policy in the Seymour Community School District questions concerning this policy should be directed to:
Ms. Kellie Bohn Superintendent of Schools
Seymour Community School District
10 Circle Drive, Seymour, WI 54165
920-833-2304 ext. 505
The Seymour Community School District does not discriminate against students on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or physical, cognitive, emotional or learning disability in its education programs or activities.
Equal Education Opportunities
The Seymour Community School District is committed and dedicated to the task of providing the best education possible for every child in the district for as long as the student can benefit from attendance and the student’s conduct is compatible with the welfare of the entire student body.
The right of the student to be admitted to school and to participate fully in curricular, extracurricular, student services, recreational or other programs or activities shall not be abridged or impaired because of a student’s sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.
Complaints regarding the interpretation or application of this policy shall be referred to the Seymour Community School District Administrator and processed in accordance with established procedures. Notice of this policy and its accompanying complaint procedures shall be published at the beginning of each school year and posted in each school building in the district. In addition, a student nondiscrimination statement shall be included on student and staff handbooks, course selection handbooks and other published materials distributed to the public describing school activities and opportunities.
Equal Educational Opportunities Discrimination
Complaint Procedures
If any person believes that the Seymour Community School District or any part of the school organization has inadequately applied the principles and/or regulations of Title VI, Title IX and Section 504 or in some way discriminates on the basis of sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, parental or marital status, sexual orientation, or physical, learning, mental or emotional disabilities, he/she may bring forward a complaint to the Title VI, Title IX or Section 504 coordinator at his/her office in the Seymour Community School District, Seymour, WI, or contact him/her by phone: 920-833-2304.
Informal Procedure
The person who believes he/she has a valid basis for complaint shall discuss the concern with the building administrator who shall in turn investigate the complaint and reply to the complainant verbally within five (5) days. if this reply is not acceptable to the complainant, he/she may initiate an informal complaint to the local Title VI, Title IX or 504 coordinator who shall in turn investigate the complaint and reply to the complainant in writing within five (5) school / business days. If this reply is not acceptable to the complainant, he/she may initiate formal procedures according to the steps listed.
Formal Grievance Procedure
Step 1: A written statement of the grievance shall be prepared by the complainant and signed. This grievance shall be presented to the local Title VI, Title IX or 504 coordinator within give (5) school / business days of receipt of the written reply to the informal complaint. The coordinator shall further investigate the matters of the grievance and reply in writing to the complainant within ten (10) school / business days.
Step 2: If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision of the local Title VI, Title IX or 504 coordinator, he/she may submit a signed statement of appeal to the Seymour Community School District Administrator within five (5) school / business days after receipt of the local coordinator’s response to the grievance. The Seymour Community School District Administrator shall meet with all parties involved, formulate a conclusion, and respond in writing to the grievance within ten (10) school / business days.
Step 3: If the complainant remains unsatisfied, he/she may appeal through a signed, written statement to the Seymour Community School Board of Education within five (5) school / business days of his / her receipt of the Seymour Community School District Administrator’s response to Step 2. In an attempt to resolve the grievance, the Board of Education shall meet with the concerned parties and their representatives at the next regular Board meeting or within fifteen (15) school / business days of the receipt of such an appeal. A copy of the Board’s disposition of the appeal shall be sent by the Board Clerk to each concerned party within ten (10) school or business days of this meeting.
Step 4: If, at this point, the grievance has not been satisfactorily settled, further appeal may be made within 30 days to the Department of Public Instruction, Equal Educational Opportunity Office, P.O. Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707. Also, an appeal may be made to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Washington D.C. 20201.
Grievance Procedure - Special Education
Discrimination complaints relating to the identification, evaluation, educational placement or the provision of free appropriate public education of a child with exceptional educational need shall be processed in accordance with established appeal procedures outlined in the district’s special education handbook.
Grievance Procedure - Federal Programs
Discrimination complaints relating to programs specifically governed by federal law or regulation shall be referred directly to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.