Public Complaints
The School Board believes that the Board and school staff should welcome and respond to concerns and complaints from the public. A concern is defined as "a cause of anxiety or worry”. A complaint is defined as "a statement that a situation is unsatisfactory or unacceptable." For the purposes of this policy, the terms are used interchangeably and the process for resolving concerns or complaints is identical.
The Board relies on its teachers, staff, and administrators to resolve such concerns or complaints from the public. It is the policy of the District to provide for such resolutions first at the level most directly involved and in an informal manner, whenever possible. Further, if such resolution cannot be accomplished, procedures shall be available for review at the highest administrative level with an ultimate opportunity for appeal to the Board.
If someone is not satisfied with the resolution or outcome of a concern or complaint, they have the right to bring it to the Board. It is preferred that they contact the President of the Board. (However, they may choose to contact another member as well.) The recipient of the concern or complaint will acknowledge it and bring it to the Board. Depending on the nature of the concern or complaint, the Board will determine if it needs to be addressed sooner than at the next Board meeting. If this is the case, they will make every attempt to meet within 10 business days upon receipt of the concern or complaint to review it.
Public Complaints About Personnel
Constructive criticism of the schools is welcome through whatever medium when it is motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of the education program and to equip the schools of this District to their task more effectively.
The Board places trust in its employees and desires to support their actions in such a manner that employees are freed from unnecessary, spiteful, or negative criticism and complaints.
If an individual has a complaint about an employee they are encouraged to discuss it first with the employee involved. If it can’t be resolved, the next step is to submit the complaint to the school administration and then lastly to the Board, if necessary.
Whenever a complaint is made directly to the Board as a whole or to a board member as an individual, it shall be referred to the school administration for study and possible solutions. The individual employee involved shall be advised of the nature of the complaint and shall be given every opportunity for explanation, comment, and presentation of the facts as they see them.
If it appears necessary, the administration, the person who made the complaint, or the employee involved may request an executive session of the Board for the purposes of further study and a decision by this body. Generally, all parties involved, including the school administration, shall be asked to attend such a meeting for the purposes of presenting additional facts, making further explanations, and clarifying the issues. Hearsay and rumor shall be discounted as well as emotional feelings except those directly related to the facts of the situation.
The Board shall conduct such meetings in as fair and just a manner as possible. The Board may request a disinterested third party to act as moderator to help it reach a mutually satisfactory solution.
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