OBJECTIVES FOR EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
This section of the board policy manual is devoted to the board's goals and objectives for assisting the students of the school district in obtaining an education. Each student shall have an opportunity to obtain an education in compliance with the policies in this series. 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 it and 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 opportunity.
The board supports the delivery of the education program and services to students free of discrimination on the basis of race (including skin color, hair texture, and protective hairstyles), color, national origin, sex, disability, religion or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. This concept of 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.
Board policies, rules and regulations affect students while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned, operated, or chartered transportation; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and educational processes of the school district.
This section of the board policy refers to the term "parents" in many of the policies. The term parents for purposes of this policy manual shall mean the legal parents. It shall also mean the legal guardian or custodian of a student and students who have reached the age of majority or are otherwise considered an adult by law.
Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, shall be directed to the superintendent or his or her designee.
Inquiries may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Kansas Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, One Petticoat Lane, 1010 Walnut Street, Suite 320, Kansas City, MO 64106, (816) 268-0599, the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission, State Office Building, 301 Centennial Mall South, 5th floor, P.O. Box 94394, Lincoln, NE 68509-4934, (402) 471-2024 or (800) 642-6112 or by email to click to show address. This inquiry or complaint to the federalor state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.
Every report of alleged violations of this policy that can be interpreted at the outset to fall within the protections of laws against discrimination shall be handled as a joint, concurrent investigation into all allegations and coordinated with the full participation of the Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator. If, in the course of an ongoing investigation of this policy, potential issues of sexual harassment or discrimination are identified, the Title IX Coordinator shall be promptly notified, and the investigation shall be conducted jointly and concurrently to address the issues of alleged sexual harassment or discrimination as well as the incidents of alleged violations of this policy.
Further information and copies of the procedures for filing a complaint are available in the school district's central administrative office and the administrative office in each attendance center.
Legal Reference: Sect. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq. (1994) 34 C.F.R. §104 et seq. 34 C.F.R. §160 et seq. Neb. Statute 79-2,114 et seq. (Neb. Equal Opportunity in Education Act). Cross Reference: 100 District Organization and Basic Commitments
