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Watertown Public Schools

30 Common Street, Watertown MA 02472

Non Discrimination

Watertown Public Schools > Human Resources

Non Discrimination Policies  


"Watertown Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its services, programs, and activities on the basis of race, color or national origin, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI); on the basis of sex, in accordance with Title IX of the education Amendments of 1972; on the basis of disability, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); or on the basis of age, in accordance with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1974 (Age Discrimination Act), or on the basis of sexual orientation or religion in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71B and 151B."

NON Descrimination on the basis of Sex

The School Committee, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972, declares that the school system does not and will not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs and activities of the public schools. This policy will
extend not only to students with regard to educational opportunities, but also to
employees with regard to employment opportunities.

The School Committee will continue to ensure fair and equitable educationa l and
employment opportunities, without regard to sex, to all of its students and employees.

The Committee will designate an individual to act as the school system's Title IX
compliance officer. All students and employees will be notified of the name and office address and telephone number of the compliance officer.

 

Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.


Prohibits discrimination, exclusion from participation, and denial of benefits on the basis of disability in the areas of employment.


Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. Prohibits discrimination, exclusion from participation, and denial of benefits on the basis of disability in the areas of educational programming and activities.


Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.


Prohibits discrimination, exclusion from participation, and denial or benefits based on race, color, and national origin.


Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Prohibits discrimination, exclusion from participation, and denial of benefits in educational programs based on sex.


Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.


No otherwise qualified handicapped individual shall, solely by reason of (his/her) handicap,
be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance.


Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 76, Section 5.


Every person shall have a right to attend the public schools of the town where he actually resides, subject to the following section. No person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town, or in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of such public school on account or race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.


Watertown School Committee Policy on Sexual Harassment.


The Watertown School Committee affirms the policy of maintaining the Watertown Public Schools a learning and working environment free of sexual harassment and intimidation.

Grievance Procedures for Bargaining Unit (Contract) Personnel.


The purpose of the grievance procedure is to allow staff a vehicle to correct an alleged violation of the Civil Rights Policies. Contract personnel will follow the regular grievance procedure in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

Grievance Procedure for Non-Bargaining Unit (Contract) Personnel.


· Level One. A non-contract employee shall first discuss the issue with the person involved within ten school days of the alleged occurrence for the purpose of resolving the matter informally. Should this prove to be unsatisfactory or undesirable, the grievant may file the grievance in writing to the Title Coordinator (Director of Personnel) within ten school days after presenting it at Level I.

· Level Two. The Title Coordinator, after receiving written notification of the alleged grievance, shall meet with the aggrieved within ten school days in an effort to resolve the matter. In the event of the resolution, or lack thereof, is unsatisfactory, the aggrieved may submit the grievance to the Superintendent of Schools within ten days after having received a disposition from the parties at Level Two.

· Level Three. The Superintendent or designee shall meet with the aggrieved within ten school days of receiving the grievance. After a hearing with the Superintendent, a written decision shall be returned to the aggrieved within ten school days.

· Level Four. If the aggrieved is not satisfied with the disposition of the grievance at Level Three, or if no written decision has been rendered within ten school days, the aggrieved may submit the grievance to the School Committee within ten school days of the disposition at Level Three. The School Committee shall return a decision on the grievance within thirty school days. The decision of the School Committee shall be the last recourse provided within the system. The Title Coordinator will advise the aggrieved of the additional rights according to statute.

School Committee Grievance Procedure Policy for Students, Parents, and Guardians who feel that a regulation has been applied inequitably or unjustly:

· The aggrieved party should attempt remediation through a conference with the teacher involved. Should this prove to be unsatisfactory or undesirable, the grievance may be taken to the Guidance Counselor or the Curriculum Coordinator/Director at the Secondary Level.

· The aggrieved party, if dissatisfied, may present his or her grievance to the Principal/Headmaster who, after hearing the facts, and after consultation with the Teacher, takes any action he or she thinks is indicated. The Student Counsel is encouraged to hear grievances on school regulations and to make recommendations to the School Principal.

· If the aggrieved party feels that the solution or decision is not agreeable to him or her, he or she may appeal to the Superintendent. The Superintendent, after consultation with the Principal, takes action.

· If the aggrieved party feels that the action taken by the Superintendent is not agreeable to him or her, the aggrieved party may present his or her case to the School Committee for a ruling.

 

Title IX, Title VI, ADA, and Sexual Harassment Coordinator


Dr. Ray F. Shurtleff
Interim Director of Human Resources
Watertown Public Schools
30 Common Street
Watertown MA 02472
617-926-7700
617-923-1234/fax
rshurtleff@watertown.k12.ma.us


504 Coordinator


Ms. Barbara Stewart
Watertown Public Schools
30 Common Street
Watertown MA 02472
617-926-7700
617-923-1234/fax
bstewart@watertown.k12.ma.us

 

 

Updated September, 2007