Notice of Non-Discrimination

The Board of Education is committed to maintaining a learning/working environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, free from discrimination and harassment. There will be no tolerance for discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, disability or age. The district prohibits harassment and other forms of discrimination whether occurring at school, on district property, in a district vehicle, or at any district-related activity or event. The superintendent will designate compliance officers and develop and implement regulations for the reporting, investigation and resolution of complaints of discrimination or harassment.

Please see District Policy 8007: Discrimination & Harassment

Procedures for addressing complaints of discrimination:

Step 1

A person who believes that he/she has been discriminated against by the Birmingham Public Schools shall discuss the matter informally with the immediate supervisor in the case of an employee, or the building principal, in the case of a student. [NOTE: If it is the immediate supervisor or building principal who is the subject of the complaint, the employee or student may, instead, contact the School District’s Compliance Officer.] The person receiving the complaint shall verbally convey his/her findings to both the person who alleged the violation and the person who is the subject of the complaint within 10 day.

Step 2

If the informal Step 1 process does not resolve the matter, a written complaint may be submitted to the employee’s immediate supervisor (to the school’s principal if by a student). A complaint may also be filed directly with the School District’s Compliance Officer. The complaint shall include (1) the employee’s or student’s name; (2) the facts of the incident or action complained about; (3) the date of the incident or action giving rise to the complaint; (4) the type of discrimination alleged to have occurred; and (5) the specific relief sought. A Step 2 meeting shall be conducted within 10 days following the submission of the written complaint. Within the next 10 days, the immediate supervisor or principal [or School District’s Compliance Officer] shall issue a written disposition, with copies to be given to both the person who alleged the violation and the person who is the subject of the complaint.

Step 3

If the supervisor or principal’s reply does not resolve the matter, a written complaint may be submitted to the School District’s Compliance Officer within 10 business days of the Step 2 disposition. A meeting shall be conducted at which both parties shall have the right to present witnesses and offer other evidence. Following the meeting, the Compliance Office shall reply in writing to the complainant and the person who is the subject of the complaint within 10 business days.

Step 4

If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision of the Compliance Officer, he/she may submit a written appeal to the Superintendent of Schools within 10 business days after receipt of the Compliance Officer’s reply. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall meet with all parties involved and respond to the complaint, in writing, within 10 business days of the date of the appeal. Copies shall be provided to both the complainant and the person who is the subject of the complaint.

All inquiries concerning the school district’s implementation of its non-discrimination policy may be referred to the appropriate compliance officer as listed below: