Procedures

  • The Falmouth Public Schools Affirmative Action Policy forbids discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, or disability. If a student, staff member or parent/guardian feels that their rights under this policy have been breached, they may follow these procedures to seek a remedy.

    1. The affected person may discuss the concern or breach with any involved school official or staff member. This official or staff member may be an administrator, a teacher, the Affirmative Action Officer, the Chapter 622/Title IX Compliance Officer or a member of the Affirmative Action Committee.

      • The purpose of this informal process is to provide the complainant a means of clarifying the problem, seeking counsel and deciding a course of action. The informal process may result in a satisfactory solution for the complaint and no further action is needed.

    2. A formal complaint may be filed by the complainant. It should be filed with the appropriate principal or with a Central Office administrator. It may be verbal or written. It should be filed in a timely manner.

      • The complainant shall give details and names in support of their complaint.

      • The administrator shall write a summary of the complaint and the remedies offered. Both administrator and complainant shall sign the summary. If the complainant objects to signing the summary, they may attach a statement.

    3. If the administrator and complainant do not reach a mutually satisfactory solution within thirty (30) calendar days, the complainant may file the complaint with the Affirmative Action Officer.

      • The Affirmative Action Officer will investigate and attempt to resolve the complaint. If resolution is not forthcoming, the Affirmative Action Officer shall, within seven (7) days, schedule a meeting of the Affirmative Action Committee’s Subcommittee on Complaints. The Affirmative Action Officer will supply the Subcommittee with all written records and results of any investigation.

    4. The Subcommittee on Complaints shall hear all who wish to speak and all information offered on the subject.  The subcommittee may ask for school personnel to appear and give information. The meeting may be recessed and reconvened at a later time in order to seek more information.

    5. The Subcommittee shall give a written recommendation to the Superintendent, who shall hand down the final decision.
Last Modified on September 3, 2020