NONDISCRIMINATION AND ACCESS TO EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY | Administrative Guideline Manual

2260 - NONDISCRIMINATION AND ACCESS TO EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

This administrative guideline is established to assist in the proper implementation of Policy 2260.

That policy states:

The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of the Protected Classes of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age (except as authorized by law), religion, ancestry, or genetic information (collectively, "Protected Classes") in its educational programs or activities.

The Board also does not discriminate on the basis of Protected Classes in its employment policies and practices as they relate to students, and does not tolerate harassment of any kind.

Equal educational opportunities shall be available to all students, without regard to the Protected Classes, age (unless age is a factor necessary to the normal operation or the achievement of any legitimate objective of the program/activity), place of residence within the boundaries of the District, or social or economic background, to learn through the curriculum offered in this District. Educational programs shall be designed to meet the varying needs of all students.

The District's Compliance Officers shall handle inquiries regarding the Board's nondiscrimination policies and investigate any formal complaint of discrimination.

The District will identify, evaluate, and provide a free appropriate public education to students with disabilities (i.e., students who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one (1) or more major life activities).

Sex-Based Harassment/Discrimination

The United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights ("OCR") considers gender-based harassment to be a form of sex discrimination.

Administrators and professional staff are directed to thoroughly investigate any allegations of gender-based harassment.

FACILITIES

The educational program of this District shall be accessible to all students. All programs need to be designed and scheduled so the location or nature of the facility or area will not deny an otherwise-qualified student with a disability the opportunity to participate in the academic or other school programs on the same basis as a nondisabled student.

Service animals for students who require this type of assistance shall be permitted access to all facilities, programs, and events of the District. See AG 8390 and Policy 8390.

PROGRAM

The educational program includes the academic and non-academic settings. To the maximum extent appropriate, each qualified, disabled student shall be educated with nondisabled students. In the nonacademic setting, the disabled student shall participate with the nondisabled students to the maximum extent appropriate.

Each Principal shall verify that the procedures used with students and parents for selection of and participation in any part of the District's academic, co-curricular, or extra-curricular program do not discriminate on the basis of the Protected Classes. See AG 2411 - Guidance and Counseling.

COMPLAINTS

All complaints shall be handled in accordance with Policy 2260 or Policy 2260.01. The complainant shall be informed that s/he may contact the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, at any time.