It is the policy of the Colo-NESCO Community School District not to discriminate against any otherwise qualified individual with a disability, solely by reason of his/her disability, in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, any program or activity sponsored by the school district.

Complaints of discrimination related to disability may be addressed through the District’s Non-Discrimination Grievance Procedure. Due process rights of disabled students, parents, employees, applicants or patrons under Section 504/ADA will be enforced.

The district shall take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with applicants, participants, and members of the public with disabilities are as effective as communications with others. To this end, the district shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a service, program, or activity conducted by the district. In determining what type of auxiliary aid or service is necessary, the district shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individual with disabilities.

The district is not required to take any action that it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a service, program, or activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. Any decision that, in compliance with its responsibility to provide effective communication for individuals with disabilities, would fundamentally alter the service, program, or activity or unduly burden the district shall be made by the board after considering all resources available for use in funding and operating the program, services, or activity. The decision shall be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that conclusion.

The board of directors will designate an individual to serve as the district’s Section 504/ADA Coordinator and compliance officer and will publicize the name, office address and office telephone number of the designee.  Inquiries regarding compliance with this policy should be directed to the district’s Section 504/ADA Coordinator or to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Kansas City, MO, (816) 891-8026.

Approved       12/17/2018                Reviewed        11/19/2018               Revised_11/19/2018

 

It is the policy of the Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Beth Heller, 919 West Street, Colo, IA 50056; bheller@colo-nesco.k12.ia.us.

Students, parents of students, employees, and applicants for employment in the school district have the right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination. The district has policies and procedures in place to identify and investigate complaints alleging discrimination. If appropriate, the district will take steps to prevent the recurrence of discrimination and to correct its discriminatory effects on the Complainant and others.

A Complainant may attempt to resolve the problem informally by discussing the matter with a building principal or a direct supervisor. However, the Complainant has the right to end the informal process at any time and pursue the formal grievance procedures outlined below. Use of the informal or formal grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies. Please note that informal processes and procedures are not to be used in certain circumstances (e.g., sexual harassment and sexual assault).

Filing a Complaint

A Complainant who wishes to avail himself/herself of this grievance procedure may do so by filing a complaint with the equity coordinator(s). An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the equity coordinator or superintendent committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 180 of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the Complainant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The Complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The equity coordinator(s) shall assist the Complainant as needed.

Investigation

Within 15 working days, the equity coordinator will begin the investigation of the complaint or appoint a qualified person to undertake the investigation (hereinafter “equity coordinator”).  If the Complainant is under 18 years of age, the equity coordinator shall notify his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) that they may attend investigatory meetings in which the Complainant is involved. The complaint and identity of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy. The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following:

• A request for the Complainant to provide a written statement regarding the nature of the complaint;
• A request for the individual named in the complaint to provide a written statement;
• A request for witnesses identified during the course of the investigation to provide a written statement;
• Interviews of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses;
• An opportunity to present witnesses or other relevant information; and
• Review and collection of documentation or information deemed relevant to the investigation.

Within 60 working days, the equity coordinator shall complete the investigation and issue a report with respect to the findings.

The equity coordinator shall notify the Complainant and Respondent of the decision within 5 working days of completing the written report. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.

Decision and Appeal

The complaint is closed after the equity coordinator has issued the report, unless within 10 working days after receiving the decision, either party appeals the decision to the superintendent by making a written request detailing why he/she believes the decision should be reconsidered. The equity coordinator shall promptly forward all materials relative to the complaint and appeal to the superintendent. Within 30 working days, the superintendent shall affirm, reverse, amend the decision, or direct the equity coordinator to gather additional information. The superintendent shall notify the Complainant, Respondent, and the equity coordinator of the decision within 5 working days of the decision. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.

The decision of the superintendent shall be final.

The decision of the superintendent in no way prejudices a party from seeking redress through state or federal agencies as provided by in law.

This policy and procedures are to be used for complaints of discrimination, in lieu of any other general complaint policies or procedures that may be available.

If any of the stated timeframes cannot be met by the district, the district will notify the parties and pursue completion as promptly as possible.

Retaliation against any person, because the person has filed a complaint or assisted or participated in an investigation, is prohibited. Persons found to have engaged in retaliation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures.

 

Approved:  10/18/23                Reviewed: 10/18/23             Revised: 10/18/23

 

The Colo-NESCO Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:  Agriculture, Business Education, Health Occupations, Auto Mechanics, Auto Collision, Culinary Arts, Family & Consumer Science, Health Science, Construction Trades, Criminal Justice, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Auto-body Collision & Repair Technology, Automotive Mechanics Technology, and Diesel Mechanics Technology.

It is the policy of the Colo-NESCO Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the District Equity Coordinator Beth Heller, 919 West Street, Colo, IA, 641-377-2282, bheller@colo-nesco.k12.ia.us..

Approved:  10/18/2023                Reviewed: 10/18/2023         Revised: 10/18/2023

 

 

It is the policy of the Colo-NESCO Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the District Equity Coordinator Beth Heller, 919 West Street, Colo, IA, 641-377-2282, bheller@colo-nesco.k12.ia.us.

Approved:  10/18/2023                Reviewed: 10/18/2023        Revised: 10/18/2023

 

The Colo-NESCO Community School District does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of a student's disability. It has been determined that your child has a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made to meet his or her individual needs as adequately as the needs of other students. As a parent, you have the right to the following:

• Participation of your child in school district programs and activities, including extracurricular programs and activities, to the maximum extent appropriate, free of discrimination based upon the student's disability and at the same level as students without disabilities;
• Receipt of free educational services to the extent they are provided students without disabilities:
• Receipt of information about your child and your child's educational programs and activities in your native language;
• Notice of identification of your child as having a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made and notice prior to evaluation and placement of your child and right to periodically request a re-evaluation of your child;
• Inspect and review your child's educational records including a right to copy those records for a reasonable fee; you also have a right to ask the school district to amend your child's educational records if you feel the information in the records is misleading or inaccurate; should the school district refuse to amend the records, you have a right to a hearing and to place an explanatory letter in your child's file explaining why you feel the records are misleading or inaccurate; and
• Hearing before an impartial hearing officer if you disagree with your child's evaluation or placement; you have a right to counsel at the hearing and have the decision of the impartial hearing officer reviewed.

It is the policy of the Colo-NESCO Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the District Equity Coordinator Beth Heller, 919 West Street, Colo, IA, 641-377-2282, bheller@colo-nesco.k12.ia.us.

 

Approved:  10/18/2023                Reviewed: 10/18/2023         Revised: 10/18/2023

 

 

 

COMPLAINT FORM

 

(Discrimination, Anti-Bullying, and Anti-Harassment)

 

 

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

 

In the space below, please describe what happened and why you believe that you or someone else has been discriminated against, harassed, or bullied. Please be as specific as possible and attach additional pages if necessary. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

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I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. 

Signature: _____________________________________     Date:  __________________________

 

Approved:  12/17/2018                Reviewed: 11/19/2018        Revised: 10/17/2016

 

 

WITNESS DISCLOSURE FORM

 

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

 

Description of incident witnessed: _________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Additional information: _________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. 

 

Signature: _____________________________________     Date:  __________________________

 

Approved:  12/17/2018                Reviewed: 11/19/2018        Revised: 10/17/2016

 

DISPOSITION OF COMPLAINT FORM

 

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

 

Summary of Investigation: _______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. 

 

Signature: _____________________________________     Date:  _________________________

Approved:  12/17/2018                Reviewed: 11/19/2018        Revised: 10/17/2016