The Shutesbury Elementary School has established an internal procedure in order to provide for prompt and equitable resolutions of complaints.
Definitions
A “Grievance” is a complaint made pursuant to, and arising out of, the Shutesbury Elementary School's obligation to comply with state regulations regarding civil rights, discrimination and harassment.
An “Aggrieved Party” is a person or persons making the complaint.
Purpose
The purpose of this grievance procedure is to secure prompt and equitable solutions to grievances.
General
No aggrieved party will be subject to coercion, intimidation, interference, or discrimination for registering a complaint or for assisting in the investigation of any alleged complaints within the context of this grievance procedure.
All documents, communications and records dealing with the filing of a grievance will be kept confidential to the full extent provided by law.
Procedure
1. The complaint should be filed with the principal in writing as soon as an aggrieved party becomes aware of the incident.
2. Within ten (10) school days after receiving the grievance, the principal or his/her designee shall meet with the aggrieved party in an effort to resolve the grievance. This investigation into the complaint is contemplated to be thorough, but informal, in nature. All interested persons and their representatives, if any, shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard and to submit evidence relevant to the complaint. If the grievance is not resolved, it will be forwarded to the superintendent.
3. Within fifteen (15) days of receipt of an unresolved grievance, the superintendent will conduct a confidential hearing to determine what, if any, action shall be taken in response to the grievance. The hearing shall be held at a time and place mutually convenient to all parties. The hearing procedure will follow appropriate due process procedures including:
a. the opportunity for the aggrieved party to present the grievance in any suitable manner;
b. the right of the aggrieved party to an impartial hearing officer;
c. the right of the aggrieved party to be represented by counsel or an advocate at the aggrieved party's expense;
d. the right of the aggrieved party to a prompt decision.
Parents/legal guardians should provide advance notice to the superintendent if counsel or an advocate at the grievance hearing will represent them and supply that representative’s name and contact information.
4. A written determination of the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the Superintendent and forwarded to the aggrieved party no later than fifteen (15) working days after the hearing. The determination of the validity of the complaint and the description of the resolution will be provided in an alternate format, upon request, if needed for effective communication.
5. The aggrieved party can request a reconsideration of the case in instances where he or she is dissatisfied with the resolution. The request for reconsideration shall be made to the Superintendent of Union #28 within fifteen (15) working days following receipt of the written determination.
6. These rules shall be construed to protect the substantive rights of the interested persons to due process.
7. Copies of all resolutions and findings made under this procedure shall be filed with the Superintendent's Office of Erving School Union #28.