4340 - GRIEVANCES

Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center

Bylaws & Policies

4340 - GRIEVANCES

It is the policy of the Governing Board to develop and practice reasonable and effective means of resolving difficulties which may arise among employees, to reduce potential areas of grievances, and to establish and maintain recognized two-way channels of communication between professional employees not otherwise covered by the terms of a negotiated agreement.

The Governing Board intends in this grievance policy to expedite the process for all parties concerned. The policy, therefore, has as its goal the following:

	A.	The policy is intended to be used after an attempt has been made to resolve a difficulty on a face-to-face basis between the parties concerned.
	B.	The policy is designed to secure proper and equitable solutions to grievances at the lowest appropriate level, and to facilitate an orderly succession of procedures within which solutions may be pursued.
	C.	There shall be no reprisals of any kind taken against any certificated employees or their representatives because of participation in a grievance or support thereof.

Grievance - A grievance is an alleged violation of any unresolved problem concerning application or interpretation of:

	A.	State law or regulations;
	B.	the policies, rules or regulations of the Governing Board;
	C.	or written administrative procedures.

Problem - A problem is a complaint relating to the conditions or circumstances under which an employee works. A problem may become a grievance if it is a violation of a written policy, rule or regulation of the Governing Board.

Conferee - A conferee is a representative chosen by the grievant.

Grievant - A grievant may be one (1) or more certificated employees of the Educational Service Center.

A Day - A day is any day that the Educational Service Center administrative offices are open for business.

Alleged grievances should be discussed in private, informal conference between the parties involved.

At least one (1) such private meeting should take place between the parties before the grievance procedure is invoked.

If the same alleged grievance or substantially the same alleged grievance is made by more than one (1) employee against one (1) respondent, only one (1) employee on behalf of self and the other complainants may process the complaint through the adjustment procedure. Names of all aggrieved parties shall apply on all documents related to the settlement of the grievance.

Level One

A. Within five (5) business days after the occurrence of the act or omission giving rise to the grievance, the grievant must present his/her grievance in writing to the Educational Service Center Superintendent with immediate administrative responsibilities for the position to which the complainant is assigned. This statement shall be a clear, concise statement of the grievance, and

		1.	the policy or law for which there is an alleged violation;
		2.	the circumstances on which the grievance is based;
		3.	the person(s) involved;
		4.	the decision rendered at the private conference; and
		5.	the remedy sought.

Copies of this statement may be sent to conferees.

Within five (5) business days the Educational Service Center Superintendent shall communicate his decision to the employee in writing.

Either party to the grievance shall have the right to request a personal conference in order to resolve the grievance. Either party may request the presence of one (1) conferee.

Level Two

	A.	Within five (5) business days after receiving the decision of the Superintendent, the grievant may, on his/her own or through a conferee appeal the decision in writing to the Governing Board.
	B.	The governing Board shall schedule the matter for a hearing at an executive session to be held at the next regularly scheduled Governing Board meeting.
	C.	Within ten (10) business days following the hearing, the Governing Board will submit its decision in writing together with supporting reasons to grievant. A copy shall be furnished the administrators involved and the Superintendent. The decision of the governing Board is final.