Perry Local School District
Bylaws & Policies
 

9130 - PUBLIC CONCERNS

Any person or group having a legitimate interest in the schools of this District shall have the right to present a request, suggestion, complaint, or grievance concerning district personnel, the program, or the operations of the District. At the same time, the Board of Education has a duty to protect its staff from unnecessary harassment. It is the intent of this policy to provide the means for judging each public concern in a fair and impartial manner and to seek a remedy where appropriate.

It is the desire of the Board to rectify any misunderstandings between the public and the School District by direct discussions of an informal type among the interested parties. It is only when such informal meetings fail to resolve the differences, shall more formal procedures be employed.

Any requests, suggestions, complaints or grievances reaching the Board, Board members, and the administration shall be referred to the Superintendent for consideration according to the following procedure.

Matters Regarding a Teaching Staff Member
 A.First Level
  If it is a matter specifically directed toward a teaching staff member, the matter must be addressed, initially, to the concerned staff member who shall discuss it promptly with the concerned individual and make every effort to provide a reasoned explanation or take appropriate action within his/her authority and District administrative guidelines.
  As appropriate, the staff member shall report the matter, and whatever action may have been taken, to the building principal.

 B.Second Level
  If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved at the first level it shall be discussed by the concerned individual with the building principal.
 C.Third Level
  If a satisfactory solution is not achieved by discussion with the building principal, if appropriate, a written request for a conference shall be submitted to the Superintendent. This request should include:
  1.the specific nature of the concern and a brief statement of the facts giving rise to it
  2.the respect in which it is alleged that the complainant (or child of the complainant) has been affected adversely
  3.the action which the complainant wishes taken and the reasons why it is felt that such action be taken
  4.Should the matter be resolved in conference with the Superintendent the Board shall be advised of the resolution
 D.Fourth Level
  Should the matter still not be resolved, or if it is one beyond the Superintendent's authority and requires a Board decision or action, the concerned individual shall request in writing, a hearing by the Board.
  The Board, after reviewing all material relating to the case, may grant a hearing, before the Board.
  The concerned individual shall be advised, in writing, of the Board's decision, no more than ten (10) working days following the hearing. The Board's decision will be final on the matter, and will not provide a hearing to other complainants on the same issue.

Matters Regarding an Administrative Staff Member

In the case of a concern directed toward an administrative staff member, the general procedure specified in Part A shall be followed. The complaint shall be discussed, initially, with the person toward whom it is directed and if a satisfactory resolution is not achieved at this level the matter shall be brought, as required, to higher levels terminating with the

Board.

Matters Regarding the Superintendent or Treasurer

Should the matter be a concern regarding the Superintendent or Treasurer which cannot be resolved through discussion with the Superintendent or Treasurer, the complainant may submit a written request to the Board President for a conference with the Board. This request shall include:

 A.the specific nature of the complaint and a brief statement of the facts giving rise to it;
 B.the respect in which it is alleged that the complainant (or child of the complainant) has been affected adversely;
 C.the reason that the matter was not able to be resolved with the Superintendent or Treasurer;
 D.the action which the complainant wishes taken and the reasons why it is felt that such action should be taken.

The Board, after reviewing the request, may grant a hearing before the Board, or a committee of the Board, or refer the matter, if permitted by State law, to an executive session.

The complainant shall be advised, in writing, of the Board's decision within thirty (30) business days.

If the complainant contacts an individual Board member to discuss the matter, the Board member shall inform the complainant that s/he has no authority to act in his/her individual capacity and that the complainant must follow the procedure described in this policy.

Matters Regarding a Noninstructional Staff Member

In the case of a complaint directed toward a noninstructional staff member, the concern is to be directed, initially, toward the person's superior, and the matter then brought, in turn, to higher levels of authority in the manner prescribed in Part A.

Matters Regarding a Program or Operation

If the request, suggestion, complaint, or grievance relates to a matter of District or school policy, procedure, program, or operation, it should be addressed, initially, to the building principal or the head of the nonprofessional department who is most directly concerned, and then brought, in turn, to higher levels of authority in the manner prescribed in Part A.

Matters Regarding Instructional Materials

If the request, suggestion, complaint or grievance relates to instructional materials such as textbooks, library books, reference works and other instructional aids used in the District.

All complaints concerning the content of any materials in the collections or in books used by individual teachers will be carefully considered and studied. In the event that there is an objection, those doing the objecting must do so formally by completing a book evaluation form which is available at each of the schools. The following will be given to either the teacher, principal, librarian, or department chairmen, depending upon the origin of the book:

 A.Should the complaint not be resolved at the building level, it may be brought to the Superintendent level. The Superintendent may, after advising the Board of the complaint, appoint a review committee under the direction of appropriate personnel.
 B.The committee, in evaluating the questioned material, shall be guided by the following criteria:
  1.the appropriateness of the material for the age and maturity level of the students with whom it is being used.
  2.the accuracy of the material
  3.the objectivity of the material
  4.the use being made of the material
 

The committee's decision shall be reported to the Superintendent in writing within ten (10) working days following the formation of the committee. The Superintendent will advise the concerned individual in writing of the committee's decision, and advise the Board of the action taken or recommended.
 

The concerned individual may appeal this decision to the Board through a written request to the Superintendent, who shall forward the request and all written material relating to the matter to the Board.
 

The Board shall review the case in public session and advise the complainant in writing of its decision within ten (10) working days.

Revised 9/23/97