103 - Equal Educational Opportunity

It is the goal of the board to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in the students enrolled in the school district.  Each student attending school will have the opportunity to use its education program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual growth.  In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that assures each student the same educational opportunity.

The Independence Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. The belief in equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to school district facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students.  There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact:

Equity Coordinator:

Erin Burmeister, Director of School Improvement

Contact Address:

1207 1st Street West, Independence, IA  50644

Contact Telephone Number:

(319) 334-7400

Contact Email Address:

eburmeister@indeek12.org

 

Board policies, rules and regulations affect students while they are on school property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.

The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.

Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, are directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Independence Community School District, 1207 1st Street West, Independence, Iowa 50644; or by telephoning (319) 334-7400.

Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Region VII office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60604 (312) 730-1560, fax (312) 730-1576 OCR.Chicago@ed.gov, the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner, https://icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121 or Iowa Dept. of Education, Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319. (515) 281-5294.  This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.

 

 

Legal Reference:  20 U.S.C. §§ 1221 et seq. 
  
                                    20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.
  
                                    20 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq.
  
                                    29 U.S.C. § 206 et seq.

                                       29 U.S.C. § 794
  
                                    42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d and 2000e.
  
                                    42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.
  
                                    34 C.F.R. Pt. 100.
  
                                    34 C.F.R. Pt. 104.
                                     
Iowa Code §§ 216.6; 216.9; 256.11, .11; 280.3.
  
                                    281 I.A.C. 12.

Cross Reference:  101      Educational Philosophy of the School District
  
                                    401.1   Equal Employment Opportunity
  
                                    506.1   Student Records

Approved 11/01/2004                           Reviewed 06/19/2007                           Revised 06/19/2007                                                                                                                     11/17/2008                                         04/26/2010
                                                                              04/26/2010              
                           09/17/2012                   
                                                                                   09/17/2012                                          03/17/2014                                                                                                                     03/17/2014                                         09/15 2014
                                                                              09/15/2014          
                               04/18/2016
                                                                              04/18/2016                                         09/21/2020                                                                                                                      09/18/2017                                         01/18/2021                                                                                                                      09/21/2020                                         10/17/2022                                                                                                                      01/18/2021                                                                                                                                                                                10/17/2022