The Board of Education is committed to equal opportunity in education and employment.

It is the policy of the Board to provide a free appropriate public education public education to each handicapped student within its jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the handicap.

It is the intent of the District to ensure that students who are handicapped within the definition of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794), are identified, evaluated, and provided with appropriate educational services. Students may be identified as handicapped under this policy even through they are not eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

It is also the policy of this Board not to discriminate against qualified employees and applicants for employment on the basis of disability.

It is also the intent of this District to assure that parents and members of the public who may have rights to participate in certain school district programs be allowed to do so without discrimination based upon disability.

Parents or guardians who believe their child has been discriminated against on the basis of the student’s handicap or disability may file a written grievance with the Director of Student Services, who shall investigate and provide a written response.

Parents or guardians who believe their child has been discriminated against on the basis of the student’s handicap or disability may also file a written request for a hearing regarding their claim. The written request for a hearing should be addressed to the Director of Student Services. An impartial hearing officer, who may be an attorney, shall be appointed by the Board or its designee to hear the claim. The hearing officer shall provide the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee with a written report of the hearing and a recommendation as to what action, if any, should be taken to resolve the complaint.

The Superintendent shall adopt regulations implementing this policy and providing for any required notification regarding the provisions of this policy.

Adopted 1/28/02