I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures to provide policy guidance to the school for handling complaints from students, employees, parents, or other persons.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
- The school staff shall give serious consideration to all concerns or complaints
received from students, employees, parents or other persons.
III. PROCESS FOR RESPONDING TO COMPLAINTS
The following complaint procedures are established by the school board:
- Receipt of Complaints
A person must file a written complaint at any level of the school district; i.e., teacher, other staff member, executive director, or school board. Routine complaints about a teacher or other employee first should be directed to that teacher or employee or to the employee’s immediate supervisor. If the complaint involves the executive director, the complaint should go to the director of operations who will direct it to the board. No employee or parent should contact any board member directly regarding a complaint.
If the complaint is against an employee relating to child abuse, discrimination, racial, religious, or sexual harassment, or other activities involving an intimidating atmosphere, the complaint should be directed to the employee’s supervisor as designated in the school district policy governing that kind of complaint. In the absence of a designated person, the complaint should be directed to the executive director.
Any employee receiving a written complaint shall advise the executive director within three (3) days of the receipt of the complaint. Unresolved complaints or problems concerning the school district should be directed to the executive director.
Parents who have complaints regarding a staff person should communicate to the supervisor of that staff person in writing.
- Investigation of Written Complaint
Depending upon the nature and seriousness of the complaint, the supervisor or other administrator receiving the complaint shall determine the nature and scope of the investigation or follow-up procedures. The executive director shall respond in writing to confirm receipt of the complaint.
If the complaint involves serious allegations, the executive director shall determine whether an internal or external investigation should be conducted. In either case, the executive director shall determine the nature and scope of the investigation and designate the person responsible for the investigation or follow-up relating to the complaint. The designated investigator shall ascertain details concerning the complaint and respond promptly to the executive director concerning the status or outcome of the matter.
- Follow-up to Written Complaint
The executive director shall communicate in writing to the complaining party concerning the outcome of the investigation or follow-up, including any appropriate action or corrective measure taken. The board chair shall be copied on the correspondence and consulted in advance of the written response when appropriate.
The response to the complaining party shall be consistent with the rights of others pursuant to the applicable provisions of Minn. Stat. Ch. 13 (Minnesota Government Data Practices Act) or other laws. Complaints which are unresolved at the executive director’s level may be brought before the school board by notifying the chair of the board in writing.
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ADOPTED BY THE BOARD ON: September 15th, 2009
REVISED BY THE BOARD ON:
