Any individual(s), having a legitimate interest in the staff, programs and operations of this District shall have the right to present a request, suggestion, or complaint to the District and the Board of Education. At the same time, the Board has a right to protect the staff from inappropriate harassment. It is the intent of this policy to provide guidelines for considering and addressing public requests, suggestions, or complaints in an efficient, reasonable, and equitable manner. Requests, suggestions, or complaints made by District staff members are covered by Policy 3122 and Policy 4122.

It is the desire of the Board to address any such matters through direct, informal discussions and other means. It is only when attempts at informal resolution fail that more formal procedures shall be used. To that end, persons who feel themselves aggrieved by the action of a staff member(s) of the School District of Westfield may communicate with that staff member after school hours, or during a free period, but not in the presence of students. The principals or supervisors may be consulted at their office. If not satisfied with the action of the staff member(s), principal, or supervisor, the matter shall be referred, in writing, to the district administrator. If his/her decision is not satisfactory, an appeal may be taken to the Board of Education for consideration of a closed session meeting with the Board of Education. However this action does not guarantee a closed session meeting will be granted.

If the matters relates to disputes concerning student residency determination, Homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act, or related issues, the matter should be addressed initially to the District’s Residency or Homelessness Coordinator, and then to the Third Level of the process for "Matters Regarding a Professional Staff Member".

Generally, requests, suggestions, or complaints reaching the Board or Board members shall be referred to the District Administrator for consideration. Any individual presenting such a matter shall be provided with a copy of this policy. All complaints against any employee of the School District of Westfield, which, if sustained, could be cause for suspension and/or dismissal shall be submitted in writing and signed by the party making them.

No challenged material may be removed from the curriculum or from a collection of resource materials except by action of the Board, and no challenged material may be removed solely because it presents ideas that may be unpopular or offensive to some. Any Board action to remove material will be accompanied by the Board's statement of its reasons for the removal.

118.01, 118.019, Wis. Stats.
20 U.S.C. 1232h

Revised 5/13/13
Revised 10/16/13