TC-5000-1

5000—PERSONNEL

 

5020                            Equal Employment Opportunity

5030                            Non-Discrimination (Cf. 5040, 5050)

                                       Employment Access

                                       Filing a Complaint

5040                            Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Sex (Cf. 5030, 5050)

5050                            Sexual Harassment and Intimidation (Cf. 5030, 5040)

                                       Definition

                                       Notification

5060                                                        Retaliation and Whistle-Blowing

5140                            Staff Involvement in Decision Making

5170                            Recruitment

                                       Identity and Employment Status

                                       Non-Discrimination

                                       Title I Compliance

5175                            Criminal History and Background Checks

5190                            Development

5200                            Staff Conduct

                                       Federal Compliance

                                       Staff Appearance

5205                            Possessing, Transporting or Transmitting Dangerous Weapons (Cf. 8300)

5210                            Complaints and Grievances (Cf. 5030, 5040)

5220                            Staff-Student Relations

5230                            Conflict of Interest

5300                            Personnel Records

5330                                                        Travel Expenses (Cf. 1168, 3600)

                                       Certified Employees

                                       Non-Certified Employees

5340                                                        Health and Safety (Cf. 5370)

5345                            Staff Smoking and Tobacco Products

5350                            Drug-Free Workplace

5357                                                        Family and Medical Leave

                                       Leave Description

                                       Eligibility

                                       Notice

                                       Continuation of Benefits

                                       Return to Work

                                       Implementing Procedures

5358                                                        Bus Driver Alcohol and Drug Testing

5360                            Temporary Illness and Temporary Incapacity

5370                            Communicable Diseases – Employees

 

                                                                                                                                               

 

TC-5000-2

 

5380                                                        Control of Bloodborne Pathogens

5430                            Hiring (Cf. 5020)

                                       Teacher Selection

5500                            Teaching Staff Probation and Tenure

                                       Tenure

                                       Administrative Tenure

                                       Administration of Tenure

5520                            Evaluation

                                       Availability of Evaluation Documents

5540                            Suspension and/or Dismissal of Professional Staff

5560                            Resignation of Professional Staff

                                       Resignation

5640                            Non-School Employment (Cf. 5230)

5650                            Tutoring for Pay

5685                                                        Substitute Teachers

5690                            Student Teaching and Internships

5700                                                        Non-Certified Employees

                                       Appointment

5710                            Compensation Guides and Contracts

                                       At-Will Employees

5725                            Qualifications and Duties

5730                            Recruitment (Cf. 5170)

5760                            Assignment and Transfer

5780                            Non-Certified Staff Probation

5800                            Evaluation of Non-Certified Staff

5830                            Suspension and Dismissal of Non-Certified Staff

                                       At-Will Employees

5850                            Resignation of Non-Certified Staff (Cf. 5560)

5860                                                        Reduction of Non-Certified Staff

5920                            Non-School Employment (Cf. 5230, 5640)


5020    Equal Employment Opportunity                                                                             5020

The Board shall be an equal opportunity employer. The objective of the Board is to attract and retain individuals qualified and/or trainable for the positions in the system by virtue of job-related standards of education, training, experience, and personal qualifications.

The Superintendent is responsible for ensuring compliance and continued implementation of this policy.

Persons who believe they have not received equal employment opportunities should report their claims to the Superintendent.  Initiating a complaint shall not adversely affect the complainant’s terms or conditions of employment.

 

Approved:        February 13, 2002

Reviewed:

LEGAL REF:   Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended in 1972, Section 100.4(a & b), Title VI, Title VII; Executive Order 11246, 1986 as amended by Executive Order 11375; Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, Title VII; Education Amendments of 1972, Title IX (P.L. 92.318), Section 106.4; 45 CFR, Parts 81, 86 (Federal Register June 4, 1975, August 11, 1975); Michigan Civil Rights Act, P.A. 453 or 1976, Section 101 through 211; Michigan Compiled Laws, 37.1101-37.1303 (Handicapper Civil Rights Act); Section 110.23 of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975


5030    Non-Discrimination (Cf. 5040, 5050)                                                                   5030

The Board shall not discriminate in its policies and practices with respect to compensation, terms or conditions of employment because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, height, weight, marital status, political belief, handicap or disability which does not impair an individual’s ability to perform adequately in that individual’s particular position or activity.

The Superintendent shall have in place all appropriate procedures relative to the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This statement of non-discrimination shall be published and disseminated to all students, parent(s)/guardian(s), employees, applicants and the general public in a manner determined by the Superintendent.

Employment Access

A qualified employee is individual who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of his/her job.  It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the building Principal that an accommodation is needed to perform the essential job functions or to receive equal benefits and privileges of employment.  Medical documentation of the disability from a qualified professional must be presented to the building Principal upon request.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5030    Non-Discrimination (Cf. 5040, 5050)                                                                5030-2

Filing a Complaint

Any employee who feels that he or she has been denied a reasonable accommodation or been discriminated against because of his/her disability is encouraged to report the incidents(s) and/or pursue recourse through established District procedures.

 

Approved:        February 13, 2002

Reviewed:

LEGAL REF:   Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 100.4(a & b), as amended, 1972, Title VI, Title VII. Executive Order 11246, 1965.  Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, Title VII.  Education Amendments of 1972, Title IX 45CFR.  Act No. 453 of the Public Acts of 1976 (Michigan Civil Rights Act).  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Subparts 104.5 and 104.7(a); MCL 37.2402; Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, P.L. 101-336 of 1990, Section 35.130; Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 110.23


 

5030-R      Non-Discrimination                                                                                   5030-R

      If any person believes that the Kalkaska School District or any part of the school has inadequately applied the principles and/or regulations of (1) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (2) Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, and (3) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or is in some way discriminatory on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, or handicap, the person may bring forward a complaint by the following procedures.

      A complaint is defined as an alleged action prohibited under one of the three acts identified above, and a complainant is a community member, parent(s)/guardian(s), student, or employee who believes an alleged illegal action has taken place.

      The designated Civil Rights Coordinator for the District shall be:

Civil Rights Coordinator

315 S. Coral St.

Kalkaska, Michigan 49646-0580

Informal Procedure

      The person or complainant who believes there is a valid basis for complaint shall set up a meeting with the District designated Title IX, VI, or Section 504 Civil Rights Coordinator to discuss the concern.  The District designated Civil Rights Coordinator in turn shall investigate the complaint, and, within ten (10) business days, reply to the complainant in writing to set up a second meeting to discuss the findings and seek an acceptable solution to the complaint.

                  If no acceptable solution to the complaint is agreed upon at the informal level, the complainant may initiate formal procedures as listed below.


 

5030-R      Non-Discrimination                                                                                5030-R-2

Any complaint submitted under the Formal Grievance Procedure shall be submitted at Step I within twenty (20) business days of the second meeting with the Civil Rights Coordinator.  If the complaint is not submitted within that time, the complaint will not be considered.

                 Formal Procedure

                  STEP 1:  The complainant must submit to the Civil Rights Coordinator designated to receive and investigate complaints alleging noncompliance with the specific act, a signed, written, "Statement of Complaint".  The "Statement of Complaint" shall name the complainant; shall state the facts giving rise to the complaint; shall identify all the provisions of the rules and regulations alleged to be violated; shall state the contention of the complainant with respect to those provisions; shall indicate the relief requested; and shall be signed by the complainant involved.

The Civil Rights Coordinator shall further investigate the matter(s) of the grievance and reply as to the District's position in this matter in writing by certified mail to the complainant within five business days after receipt of the written complaint.

                  STEP 2: If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision of the Civil Rights Coordinator, he/she may submit a signed statement of appeal to the Superintendent within five business days after receipt of the Coordinator's response to the grievance.  Failure by the complainant to appeal the complaint within the time limit provided shall bar the complaint.  The Superintendent shall meet with all parties involved within a reasonable time, not to exceed fourteen business days, in an attempt to resolve the matter(s).  After the meeting, the Superintendent shall formulate a conclusion, and respond in writing to


 

5030-R      Non-Discrimination                                                                                5030-R-3

the grievance within ten (10) business days by certified mail.

                 STEP 3: If the complainant remains unsatisfied, he/she may appeal through a signed, written statement of appeal to the Board within five business days of her/his receipt of the Superintendent's response in Step 2.  Failure by the complainant to appeal the complaint within the time limit provided shall bar the complaint.  In an attempt to resolve the grievance, the Board shall meet with the concerned parties and their representatives within fifteen business days of the receipt of such an appeal.  A copy of the Board's disposition of the appeal shall be sent by the Board Secretary to each concerned party within ten business days of this meeting by certified mail.

                 STEP 4: If, at this point, the grievance has not been satisfactorily settled, the complainant may further appeal to the Office for Civil Rights, U. S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20201. The Complaint should first be directed to the Regional Office and to the attention of:

The Regional Director

Office for Civil Rights, Region V

Department of Education

300 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(313) 353‑2521


5040    Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Sex (Cf. 5030, 5050)                                     5040

No District employee or student, on the basis of sex, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

A grievance procedure for responding to claims of discrimination based upon sex by an employee or student of the District has been developed and is available in the Superintendent’s office.

This statement and information about complaints about Title IX compliance shall be disseminated to students, parent(s)/guardian(s), employees, applicants, and the general public in a manner as determined by the Superintendent.

 

Approved:        February 13, 2002

Reviewed:

LEGAL REF:   Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 106.4; MCL 37.2101-2804 (Michigan Civil Rights Act)


5050    Sexual Harassment and Intimidation (Cf. 5030, 5040)                                           5050

It is the policy of this District to maintain a working environment that is free from sexual harassment.  No staff member of this District shall be subjected to any form of sexual harassment or intimidation.

It shall be a violation of this policy for any Board member, employee, or student to harass any member of the District staff through conduct or communications of a sexual nature as defined in this policy.

Each administrator shall be responsible for promoting understanding and acceptance of, and assuring compliance with, state and federal laws, and Board policy and procedures governing sexual harassment within his/her building or office.

Definition

Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

a.      submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s employment; or

b.      submission to or rejection of such conduct by a Board member or employee is used as the basis for decisions affecting the employee; or

c.      such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an employee’s performance or creating a hostile work environment.

Sexual harassment, may include, but is not limited to, the following:

n      verbal harassment or abuse;

n      pressure for sexual activity;

n      repeated remarks with sexual or demeaning implications;

n      unwelcome touching; and/or

n      suggesting or demanding sexual involvement, accompanied by implied or explicit threats concerning employee’s safety or job.


 

5050    Sexual Harassment and Intimidation (Cf. 5030, 5040)                                        5050-2

            In addition, any form of retaliation against the complainant or witness is in itself a form of sexual harassment.

Notification

Notice of this policy will be periodically circulated to all school buildings and departments within the District, and incorporated in teacher, student and parent(s)/guardian(s) handbooks.  All new hires of the District will be required to review and sign off on this policy and its related complaint procedure.

Training sessions on this policy and the prevention of sexual harassment shall be held for all Board members, administrators, teachers and employees of the District.

 

Approved:        February 13, 2002

Reviewed:

LEGAL REF:   MCL 37.2101 et seq., MCL 380.11a, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.


5050-R      Sexual Harassment and Intimidation                                                            5050-R

Any employee who alleges sexual harassment by a Board member, staff member or student in this District, may use the procedure detailed in the appropriate current negotiated agreement or faculty handbook or may complain directly to his/her immediate supervisor, building Principal, school counselor, District Title IX coordinator or grievance officer.  Filing a grievance or otherwise reporting sexual harassment will not reflect upon the individual’s status, nor will it affect future employment or work assignments.

The right to confidentiality, for both the accuser and the accused, will be respected consistent with the District’s legal obligations and with the necessity to investigate allegations of misconduct and to take corrective action when this conduct has occurred.

Grievance Procedure

Any employee in the District who believes that he/she has been subjected to discriminatory and/or sexual harassment shall report the incident(s) to the Superintendent, immediate supervisor, Title IX coordinator, or grievance officer.

Should a building or central office administrator be the subject of the immediate complaint or have an apparent conflict of interest in relation to it, he/she will not participate in any way in the investigation of or the decision regarding the complaint.

Upon the filing of a complaint, the grievance officer shall conduct a prompt and complete investigation.  The officer shall attempt to resolve the problem through the following steps:

1.      Interview the complainant and document the interview.

a.      Request that the complaint be put in writing, if possible.


5050-R      Sexual Harassment and Intimidation                                                         5050-R-2


b.      Obtain the names of witnesses who can be contacted to substantiate the charges being made and secure permission of the complainant to interview them.

2.      Interview the accused and document the interview.

a.      Re-emphasize the Board’s policy regarding insult, intimidation and harassment without making judgments at this stage.

b.      Keep the identity of the complainant confidential, if possible.

3.      Interview all witnesses identified by the parties and document the interview.

4.      Review the personnel files or student records/files of the complainant and the accused for any history of problems.

5.      Make a determination on the merits of the complaint.

n      If the investigation shows that the complaint is without merit, the following action will be taken:

1.      The investigation will be closed.

2.      The grievance officer’s findings and reasons for them will be discussed with the complainant.

3.      Consideration will be given to disseminating the results of the investigation to employees or students who have knowledge of it.

4.      All references to the complaint will be removed from the accused party’s personnel file.

5.      The Board’s policy regarding discriminatory and/or harassment and the mechanism for complaint resolution will be reiterated to all employees or students involved in the investigation.

6.      All documentation regarding the complaint and the investigation will be maintained in a separate confidential file in the event that litigation is commenced or a charge is


 

5050-R      Sexual Harassment and Intimidation                                                         5050-R-3


filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.

n      If the investigation shows that the complaint has merit, the following action will be taken:

1.      The investigation will be closed.

2.      The grievance officer will confer with the Board and Superintendent to determine what action is necessary to resolve the complaint and prevent recurrence.

a.      The complainant should be made whole: in the case of an employee, for any lost earnings, employment opportunities, personnel records should be corrected.

b.      The potential for continuing problems should be alleviated by reassignment where possible.

3.      The parties will be advised of the results of the investigation and the actions to be taken.

4.      Appropriate discipline will be imposed, as required by the strength of the evidence, the severity of the incident, and the position and prior record of the offender.

5.      All actions will be documented and a record placed in the offender’s permanent personnel file or student discipline records.

6.      The Board’s policy regarding discriminatory and/or sexual harassment and the mechanism for complaint resolution will be reiterated to all Board members, employees, or students involved in the investigation.

7.      All documentation regarding the complaint and the investigation will be maintained in a separate confidential file in the event that litigation is commenced or a charge is filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.

 

5050-R      Sexual Harassment and Intimidation                                                         5050-R-4


All complaints, interviews and investigations will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and utmost discretion.  Only those Board members, employees, or students whose participation in the investigation of a complaint was essential to its resolution will be informed of it.

                  The Board reserves the right to contact outside investigators for sensitive and/or extensive complaints of harassment.

                  Sanctions

a.      A substantiated charge against a staff member in the District shall subject that staff member to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.

b.      A substantiated charge against a student in the District shall subject that student to disciplinary action, which may include suspension or expulsion, consistent with the student discipline code.

c.      A substantiated charge against a Board member in the District shall subject that Board member to any legal and disciplinary action allowed under current law.

 

 


 

5060    Retaliation and Whistle-Blowing                                                                           5060

            Employees are encouraged to report suspected illegal activity to appropriate District administrators, or the Board.  The Board will not tolerate any form of reprisal, retaliation or discrimination against:

·        Any employee, or applicant for employment, because he/she opposed any practice that he/she reasonably believed to be made unlawful by federal or state laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, age, religion, height, weight, marital status, handicap or disability;

·        Any employee, or applicant for employment, because he/she filed a charge, testified, assisted or participated, in any manner, in an investigation, proceeding or hearing under federal or state laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, age, religion, height, weight, marital status, handicap or disability or because he/she reported a suspected violation of such laws according to this policy; or,

·        Any employee or applicant because he/she reported, or was about to report, a suspected violation of any federal, state or local law or regulation to a body (unless the employee knew that the report was false) or because he/she was requested by a public body to participate in an investigation, hearing or inquiry held by that public body or a court.

            An employee or applicant for employment who believes that he/she has suffered reprisal, retaliation or discrimination in violation of this policy shall report the incident(s) to the business manager.  The Board guarantees that no employee or applicant for employment who makes such a report will suffer any form of reprisal, retaliation or


 

5060    Retaliation and Whistle-Blowing                                                                        5060-2

discrimination for making the report.

            The Board considers violations of this policy to be a major offense that will result in disciplinary action against the offender, regardless of the offender’s position within the District.

 

Approved:        February 13, 2002

Reviewed:


5140    Staff Involvement In Decision Making                                                                   5140

            The Board desires that all members be given opportunities to take part as plans are made for the operation of the District, schools, and departments.

            Administrators shall exercise their powers and duties in ways consistent with democratic ideals and institutions.  They will make recommendations and initiate new procedures only after seeking and giving consideration to the opinions of staff members.  The Board expects opportunities to be provided for the democratic participation of teachers and other employees in planning working situations and arrangements.

 

Approved:        February 13, 2002

Reviewed:


5170    Recruitment                                                                                                          5170

The Superintendent shall have the authority to establish a procedure for the recruitment of well-qualified personnel to staff the schools.  The Superintendent may request building Principals or other staff members to assist in this effort.

Identity and Employment Status

All potential employees of the District shall verify their identity and employment status to the Superintendent.

The Superintendent shall maintain a file on all of the District's employees hired after November 6, 1986, proving that each employee has verified his/her identity, employment status, U.S. citizenship, or legal alien status to the Superintendent’s satisfaction.  Evidence to be used to verify identity, employment status, U.S. citizenship, or legal alien status should include at least two of the following documents, one of which contains a current photo of the employee:  U.S. birth certificate, social security card, and a current driver’s license; a state or military identification card; or one of the following:  U.S. passport, certificate of U.S. citizenship, certificate of naturalization, unexpired foreign passport, or resident alien card.

Non-Discrimination

The Board shall not discriminate in its policies and practices with respect to compensation, terms or conditions of employment because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, height, weight, age, marital status, political belief, disability, or handicap which does not impair an individual’s ability to perform adequately in that individual’s particular position or activity.

The Superintendent shall have in place all appropriate procedures relative to the Americans with Disabilities Act.  This statement of non-discrimination shall be published and disseminated to all students, parent(s)/guardian(s), employees, applicants and the public in a manner determined by the Superintendent.

           

 5170   Recruitment                                                                                                       5170-2

            Title I Compliance

            The Superintendent shall insure that the District is in compliance with the provisions of Title I, the No Child Left Behind Act.  Manuals and handbooks shall comply with federal law as to the qualifications for instructional personnel.  Notice of professional qualifications shall be provided to parent(s)/guardian(s) of students in Title I schools and staffing pattern reviews as required by law shall be conducted annually as required by law.

 

Approved:        March 10, 2003

LEGAL REF:   42 USCA §1981 et seq. (Civil Rights Act); 42 USCA 2000e-8, 2000e-12; 44 USCA 3501 et seq.; 42 USCA 12117 (The Equal Employment Opportunities Act); 42 USCA §2000e, et seq. (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act);  20 USCA §1681; 34 CFR § 106.8; 34 CFR §106.9 (Title IX of the Education Amendments); 42 USCA 12116 (The Americans with Disabilities Act); MCL 37.1101-1607 (Person’s with Disabilities Civil Rights Act); 37.2101-2804 (Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act); 20 USCA 6311(h)(6)(A) (No Child Left Behind Act)

 

 

 


 

5170-R   Recruitment                                                                                                  5170-R

 

               The Superintendent will ensure that all employee manuals or handbooks are in compliance with federal law and include: