The North Linn Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Business, Marketing, Industrial Technology & Agriculture

It is the policy of the North Linn Community School District not to 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. 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, Kaitlyn Stoll, kstoll@northlinncsd.org , 3033 Lynx Drive, PO Box 200, Troy Mills IA 52344 phone 319-224-3291.  

Approved 12-14-22     Reviewed   7-17-24        Revised  7-17-24

It is the policy of the North Linn Community School District not to 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. 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, Kaitlyn Stoll, kstoll@northlinncsd.org, 3033 Lynx Drive, PO Box 200, Troy Mills IA 52344 phone 319-224-3291.

Cross References

Approved 7-14-11     Reviewed   7-17-24       Revised  12-14-22

The North Linn Community School District does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of a student's disability. It has been determined that your child has a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made to meet his or her individual needs as adequately as the needs of other students. As a parent, you have the right to the following:

• Participation of your child in school district programs and activities, including extracurricular programs and activities, to the maximum extent appropriate, free of discrimination based upon the student's disability and at the same level as students without disabilities;

• Receipt of free educational services to the extent they are provided students without disabilities:

• Receipt of information about your child and your child's educational programs and activities in your native language;

• Notice of identification of your child as having a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made and notice prior to evaluation and placement of your child and right to periodically request a re-evaluation of your child;

• Inspect and review your child's educational records including a right to copy those records for a reasonable fee; you also have a right to ask the school district to amend your child's educational records if you feel the information in the records is misleading or inaccurate; should the school district refuse to amend the records, you have a right to a hearing and to place an explanatory letter in your child's file explaining why you feel the records are misleading or inaccurate; and

• Hearing before an impartial hearing officer if you disagree with your child's evaluation or placement; you have a right to counsel at the hearing and have the decision of the impartial hearing officer reviewed.

It is the policy of the North Linn Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, c0reed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. 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, Kaitlyn Stoll, 3033 Lynx Drive, PO Box 200, Troy Mills IA 52344 phone 319-224-3291 kstoll@northlinncsd.org.

Cross References

Approved 7-17-24     Reviewed   7-17-24       Revised  12-14-22

Date of complaint: _____________________________________________________

Name of Complainant: _____________________________________________________

Are you filling out this form for yourself or someone else (please identify the individual if you are submitting on behalf of someone else): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who or what entity do you believe discriminated against, harassed, or bullied you (or someone else)? _____________________________________________________

Date and place of alleged incident(s): _____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Names of any witnesses (if any): _____________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

____ Age ____ Physical Attribute ____ Sex

____Disability ____ Physical/Mental Ability ____ Sexual Orientation

____ Familial Status ____ Political Belief ____Socio-economic Background

____ Gender Identity ____ Political Party Preference ____ Other – Please Specify: _________________________________

____ Marital Status ____ Race/Color

____ National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry ____Religion/Creed

In the space below, please describe what happened and why you believe that you or someone else has been discriminated against, harassed, or bullied. Please be as specific as possible and attach additional pages if necessary. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _____________________ Date: __________

Name of Witness: _____________________________________________________

Date of interview: _____________________________________________________

Date of initial complaint: _____________________________________________________

Name of Complainant (include whether the Complainant is a student or employee): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Date and place of alleged incident(s): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

____ Age ____ Physical Attribute ____ Sex

____ Disability ____ Physical/Mental Ability ____ Sexual Orientation

____ Familial Status ____ Political Belief ____ Socio-economic Background

____ Gender Identity ____ Political Party Preference ____ Other – Please Specify: _______________________

____ Marital Status ____ Race/Color

____ National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry ____ Religion/Creed

Description of incident witnessed: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Additional information: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _________________________ Date: ____________

Date: _____________________________________________________

Date of initial complaint: _____________________________________________________

Name of Complainant (include whether the Complainant is a student or employee): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Date and place of alleged incident(s): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Respondent (include whether the Respondent is a student or employee): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

____ Age ____ Physical Attribute ____ Sex

____ Disability ____ Physical/Mental Ability ____ Sexual Orientation

____ Familial Status ____ Political Belief ____ Socio-economic Background

____ Gender Identity ____ Political Party Preference ____ Other – Please Specify: _______________________________

____ Marital Status ____ Race/Color

____ National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry ____ Religion/Creed

Summary of Investigation: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____________________

It is the policy of the Community School District not to 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. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Kaitlyn Stoll, 3033 Lynx Drive, Troy Mills, IA 52344, (319) 224-3291, kstoll@northlinncsd.org

Students, parents of students, employees, and applicants for employment in the school district have the right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination. The district has policies and procedures in place to identify and investigate complaints alleging discrimination. If appropriate, the district will take steps to prevent the recurrence of discrimination and to correct its discriminatory effects on the Complainant and others.

A Complainant may attempt to resolve the problem informally by discussing the matter with a building principal or a direct supervisor. However, the Complainant has the right to end the informal process at any time and pursue the formal grievance procedures outlined below. Use of the informal or formal grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies. Please note that informal processes and procedures are not to be used in certain circumstances (e.g., sexual harassment and sexual assault). 

Filing a Complaint

A Complainant who wishes to avail himself/herself of this grievance procedure may do so by filing a complaint with the equity coordinator(s). An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the equity coordinator or superintendent committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 15 days of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the Complainant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The Complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The equity coordinator(s) shall assist the Complainant as needed. 

Investigation 

Within 15 working days, the equity coordinator will begin the investigation of the complaint or appoint a qualified person to undertake the investigation (hereinafter “equity coordinator”).  If the Complainant is under 18 years of age, the equity coordinator shall notify his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) that they may attend investigatory meetings in which the Complainant is involved. The complaint and identity of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy. The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following: 

• A request for the Complainant to provide a written statement regarding the nature of the complaint; 

• A request for the individual named in the complaint to provide a written statement; 

• A request for witnesses identified during the course of the investigation to provide a written statement; 

• Interviews of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses; 

• An opportunity to present witnesses or other relevant information; and 

• Review and collection of documentation or information deemed relevant to the investigation. 

Within 60 working days, the equity coordinator shall complete the investigation and issue a report with respect to the findings. 

The equity coordinator shall notify the Complainant and Respondent of the decision within 5 working days of completing the written report. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class. 

Decision and Appeal

The complaint is closed after the equity coordinator has issued the report, unless within 10 working days after receiving the decision, either party appeals the decision to the superintendent by making a written request detailing why he/she believes the decision should be reconsidered. The equity coordinator shall promptly forward all materials relative to the complaint and appeal to the superintendent. Within 30 working days, the superintendent shall affirm, reverse, amend the decision, or direct the equity coordinator to gather additional information. The superintendent shall notify the Complainant, Respondent, and the equity coordinator of the decision within 5 working days of the decision. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class. 

The decision of the superintendent shall be final. 

The decision of the superintendent in no way prejudices a party from seeking redress through state or federal agencies as provided by in law. 

This policy and procedures are to be used for complaints of discrimination, in lieu of any other general complaint policies or procedures that may be available. 

If any of the stated timeframes cannot be met by the district, the district will notify the parties and pursue completion as promptly as possible. 

Retaliation against any person, because the person has filed a complaint or assisted or participated in an investigation, is prohibited. Persons found to have engaged in retaliation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures. 

Cross References

Approved 7-14-11     Reviewed   7-17-24             Revised   7-17-24         

Date of complaint: _____________________________________________________

Name of Complainant: _____________________________________________________

Are you filling out this form for yourself or someone else (please identify the individual if you are submitting on behalf of someone else): _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who or what entity do you believe discriminated against, harassed, or bullied you (or someone else)? _____________________________________________________

Date and place of alleged incident(s): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Names of any witnesses (if any): _____________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

____ Age ____ Physical Attribute ____ Sex

____ Disability ____ Physical/Mental Ability ____ Sexual Orientation

____ Familial Status ____Political Belief ____ Socio-economic Background

____ Gender Identity ____ Political Party Preference ____ Other – Please Specify: __________________________

____ Marital Status ____ Race/Color ____ National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry

____ Religion/Creed

In the space below, please describe what happened and why you believe that you or someone else has been discriminated against, harassed, or bullied. Please be as specific as possible and attach additional pages if necessary. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: ___________________________ Date: _______________

Name of Witness: _____________________________________________________

Date of Interview: _____________________________________________________

Date of initial complaint: _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Name of Complainant (include whether Complainant is a student or employee)? _____________________________________________________

Date and place of alleged incident(s): _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

____ Age ____ Physical Attribute ____ Sex

____ Disability ____ Physical/Mental Ability ____ Sexual Orientation

____ Familial Status ____ Political Belief ____ Socio-economic Background

____ Gender Identity ____ Political Party Preference ____ Other – Please Specify: ______________________________

____ Marital Status ____ Race/Color ____ National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry

____ Religion/Creed

Description of incident witnessed: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Additional Information: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _____________________________ Date: _________________

Date: _____________________________________________________

Date of initial complaint: _____________________________________________________

Name of Complainant (include whether the Complainant is a student or employee): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Date and place of alleged incident(s): _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Respondent (include whether the Respondent is a student or employee): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

____ Age ____ Physical Attribute ____ Sex

____ Disability ____ Physical/Mental Ability ____ Sexual Orientation

____ Familial Status ____ Political Belief ____ Socio-economic Background

____ Gender Identity ____ Political Party Preference ____ Other – Please Specify: ___________________

____ Marital Status ____ Race/Color ____ National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry

____ Religion/Creed

Summary of Investigation: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: ______________________________ Date: _________________

Filing a Complaint

A Complainant who wishes to avail himself/herself of this procedure may do so by filing a complaint with the superintendent or superintendent’s designee. An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the superintendent or superintendent’s designee committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 15 days of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the Complainant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The Complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The Complainant shall receive assistance as needed.

School employees, volunteers, and students shall not engage in reprisal, retaliation, or false accusation against a victim, witness, or an individual who has reliable information about an act of bullying or harassment.

Investigation

The school district will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of bullying or harassment upon written complaint. The Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee (hereinafter “Investigator”) will be responsible for handling all complaints alleging bullying or harassment. The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following:

• Interviews with the Complainant and the individual named in the complaint (“Respondent”);

• A request for the Complainant to provide a written statement regarding the nature of the complaint;

• A request for the Respondent to provide a written statement;

• Interviews with the witnesses identified during the course of the investigation;

• A request for witnesses identified during the course of the investigation to provide a written statement; and

• Review and collection of documentation or information deemed relevant to the investigation.

The Investigator shall consider the totality of circumstances presented in determining whether conduct objectively constitutes bullying or harassment as defined in Board policy.  Upon completion of the investigation, the Investigator shall issue a report with respect to the findings, and provide a copy of the report to the appropriate building principal or Superintendent if the investigation involves the building principal.   

The complaint and identity of the Complainant, Respondent, or witness will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy.  Similarly, evidence uncovered in the investigation shall be kept confidential to the extent reasonably possible.  

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the equity coordinators and building principals, to develop district procedures regarding anti-bullying/harassment. The superintendent [or designee] will also be responsible for organizing training programs for students, school employees, and volunteers regarding how to recognize bullying and harassing behavior and what to do if this behavior is witnessed.

The superintendent [or designee] is responsible for developing a process for evaluating the effectiveness of policy in reducing bullying and harassment and will report on the progress of reducing bullying and harassment to the school board.

Decision

The investigator, building principal or superintendent, depending on the individuals involved, shall inform the Complainant and the accused about the outcome of the investigation.  If, after an investigation, a student is found to be in violation of this policy, the student shall be disciplined by appropriate measures, which may include suspension and expulsion. If after an investigation a school employee is found to be in violation of this policy, the employee shall be disciplined by appropriate measures, which may include termination. If after an investigation a school volunteer is found to be in violation of this policy, the volunteer shall be subject to appropriate measures, which may include exclusion from school grounds.

Individuals who knowingly file false bullying or harassment complaints and any person who gives false statements in an investigation may be subject to discipline by appropriate measures, as shall any person who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy. Any student found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion. Any school employee found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment. Any school volunteer found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, exclusion from school grounds.

Approved 7-14-11     Reviewed   11-19-2019        Revised  7-17-24

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT BASED ON SEX PROHIBITED

The board believes in the importance of creating a learning environment where all students can succeed.  For this reason, it is essential that all students and employees have appropriate access to the education program and activities of the district. The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in admission and employment.

Discrimination on the basis of sex includes discrimination on the basis of sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.  Conduct that  occurs under the district’s education program or activity includes but is not limited to conduct that occurs in a building owned or controlled by the district or a student organization that is officially recognized by a postsecondary institution, and conduct that is subject to the recipient’s disciplinary authority.

The Superintendent or their designee will develop administrative regulations in furtherance of this policy.

Important Definitions

Complainant means a student or employee who is alleged to have been subjected to conduct that could constitute sex discrimination under Title IX or its regulations; or a person other than a student or employee who is alleged to have been subjected to conduct that could constitute sex discrimination under Title IX or its regulations and who was participating or attempting to participate in the recipient’s education program or activity at the time of the alleged sex discrimination.

Complaint means an oral or written request to the recipient that objectively can be understood as a request for the recipient to investigate and make a determination about alleged discrimination under Title IX or its regulations.

Respondent means a person who is alleged to have violated the District’s prohibition on sex discrimination.

Retaliation means intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any person by the recipient, a student, or an employee or other person authorized by the recipient to provide aid, benefit, or service under the recipient’s education program or activity, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX or its regulations, or because the person has reported information, made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under the Title IX regulations.

Sex-based harassment is a form of sex discrimination and means sexual harassment and other harassment on the basis of sex, including on the basis of sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity, that is:

(1) Quid pro quo harassment. An employee, agent, or other person authorized by the recipient to provide an aid, benefit, or service under the recipient’s education program or activity explicitly or impliedly conditioning the provision of such an aid, benefit, or service on a person’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;

(2) Hostile environment harassment. Unwelcome sex-based conduct that, based on the totality of the circumstances, is subjectively and objectively offensive and is so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the recipient’s education program or activity (i.e., creates a hostile environment). Whether a hostile environment has been created is a fact-specific inquiry that includes consideration of the following:

(i) The degree to which the conduct affected the complainant’s ability to access the recipient’s education program or activity;

(ii) The type, frequency, and duration of the conduct;

(iii) The parties’ ages, roles within the recipient’s education program or activity, previous interactions, and other factors about each party that may be relevant to evaluating the effects of the conduct;

(iv) The location of the conduct and the context in which the conduct occurred; and

(v) Other sex-based harassment in the recipient’s education program or activity; or

(3) Specific offenses.

(i) Sexual assault meaning an offense classified as a forcible or nonforcible sex offense under the uniform crime reporting system of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;

(ii) Dating violence meaning violence committed by a person:

(A) Who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and

(B) Where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:

(1) The length of the relationship;

(2) The type of relationship; and

(3) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship;

(iii) Domestic violence meaning felony or misdemeanor crimes committed by a person who:

(A) Is a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim under the family or domestic violence laws of the jurisdiction of the recipient, or a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim;

(B) Is cohabitating, or has cohabitated, with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner;

(C) Shares a child in common with the victim; or

(D) Commits acts against a youth or adult victim who is protected from those acts under the family or domestic violence laws of the jurisdiction; or

(iv) Stalking meaning engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to:

(A) Fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or

(B) Suffer substantial emotional distress.

Supportive measures means individualized measures offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, without unreasonably burdening a complainant or respondent, not for punitive or disciplinary reasons, and without fee or charge to the complainant or respondent to:

(1) Restore or preserve that party’s access to the recipient’s education program or activity, including measures that are designed to protect the safety of the parties or the recipient’s educational environment; or

(2) Provide support during the recipient’s grievance procedures or during an informal resolution process.

Legal Reference :                        34 C.F.R. 106

Adopted: 11-11-24

Revised: 

Reviewed: