NONDISCRIMINATION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The Acton School Department will provide equal opportunities to all persons and will adhere to rules and regulations regarding equal opportunities as set forth in state and federal laws. 

Should a person feel discriminated against, these procedures will be followed.  The Affirmative Action Officer may be contacted for needed assistance in filing a grievance.  If the employee is more comfortable speaking with a female Affirmative Action Officer, there will be one available. 

 The following notice has been posted for and disseminated to all employees and students: 

An employee and/or student who believes that he/she has been or is being subjected to discriminating acts or conduct should bring such acts or conduct to the prompt attention of a supervisor, manager, administrator or teacher who is either his/her immediate supervisor, the personnel authority, or other appropriate management representative.  Inquiries and/or grievances can be made directly to the Superintendent of Acton School, 700 Milton Mills Road, Acton, Maine 04001 207-636-2100.

 Employees and/or students may use the following internal grievance procedure (see following), or may report their grievance(s) directly to:

Maine Human Rights Commission, 

State House Station #51

         Augusta, ME 04333, telephone (207) 624-6050 

or  US Department of Education

Office of Civil Rights

33 Arch Street, Suite 900  

Boston, MA 02110-1491, telephone (617) 223-9662. 

Grievance Procedure 

Any student or employee who has a grievance concerning discrimination should consult the appropriate school official (teacher, coach, building administrator, superintendent, manager, supervisor, etc.).  If, however, the grievant shows cause acceptable to the Affirmative Action Officer for by-passing the appropriate school official or if satisfaction is not secured through consultation with the appropriate school official, further relief may be sought through the Affirmative Action Officer who shall follow the guidelines of the grievance procedure. 

 If referred to the Affirmative Officer, the grievance procedure shall consist of a two-step process. 

A. Step One 

Step one shall be a first level conference.  In the case of a student grievance, the conference shall involve the grievant, the building administrator and the Affirmative Action Officer.  The conference will take place within five working days of written notification. 

If the grievant is an employee, the first level conference shall involve the employee, the supervisor and the Affirmative Action Officer. At a first level conference, the Affirmative Action Officer may consult with other school officials when considering the grievance or arriving at a decision.  The conference will take place within five working days of receipt of the written notification to the Affirmative Action Officer.  The Officer will render a resolution within five working days of the first level conference being held. 

If a resolution is arrived at from the first level conference, the results shall be submitted in writing by the Affirmative Action Officer to the appropriate official for implementation, with a copy forwarded to the grievant and to the Superintendent.  The report of the resolution shall contain a timetable for implementation and a requirement for a follow-up report at a specified date. 

B. Step Two 

Step two shall be a second level conference.  Should the student or employee not be satisfied with the outcome of the level one conference, he/she may request further relief through the Affirmative Action Officer who will arrange for a second level conference with the Superintendent.  The Superintendent shall, within five working days of receipt of written request from the grievant, establish a meeting with the grievant.  The Superintendent shall render a resolution within five working days to the grievant.  If the grievant is not satisfied with the outcome of level two, he/she may request further relief through the State or Federal agency having jurisdiction over these matters. 

It should be understood that a grievance may bypass the local grievance procedure and deal with State or Federal agencies identified above – specifically, Maine Human Rights Commission and/or Regional Office of Civil Rights, respectively. 

Rules Regulating Grievance Procedure

A. All charges shall be filed in writing and shall specify all facts giving rise to the charge. 

B. Upon receipt of a grievance, the person(s) against whom charges of specific acts are made shall be notified of the charges and given the opportunity to appear at the first level conference or hearing to respond to the charges.  The Superintendent of Schools shall be notified of the pending conference by the Affirmative Action Officer. 

C. The Affirmative Action Officer shall act as moderator at all conferences and hearings. 

D. The Affirmative Action Officer shall bring out all evidence relevant to the case. 

E. All evidence shall be presented in an orderly manner. 

F. Conferences and hearings shall be carried out within a reasonable period of time following a reported grievance. 

G. All concerned parties shall be officially notified of the resolution of a grievance. 

H. Every effort will be made to protect the privacy of the grievant and the alleged offender.  All investigatory and disciplinary actions will comply with collective bargaining agreements. 

Adopted: March 14, 2017