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District » Title IX

Title IX

Chestnut Ridge School District is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, and/or possession of a GED as opposed to a high school education in its activities, programs, or employment practices as required by Title VI, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. For information regarding civil rights or grievance procedures, contact the appropriate building principal or the Civil Rights Coordinator for Title IX, Chestnut Ridge School District, 814-839-4195.  For information regarding services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable by disabled persons, contact the Director of Special Education, Chestnut Ridge School District, 814-839-4195. 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Title IX, Chestnut Ridge School District has appointed the following individual as Title IX Coordinator:
Richard Bosch
2588 Quaker Valley Road
New Paris, PA 15554
Phone: (814) 839-4195 X 3337
Email: [email protected]
Other Duties: School Police Officer
 
In accordance with board policies 248, 348, 448, and 548, Chestnut Ridge School District has established the following complaint procedures:
 
Complaint Procedure – Student/Third Party
 
Step 1 – Reporting
 
A student or third party who believes s/he has been subject to conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy is encouraged to immediately report the incident to the building principal or a district employee.
 
A school employee who suspects or is notified that a student has been subject to conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy shall immediately report the incident to the building principal.
 
If the building principal is the subject of a complaint, the student, third party or employee shall report the incident directly to the Compliance Officer.
 
The complainant or reporting employee is encouraged to use the report form available from the building principal, but oral complaints shall be acceptable.
 
Report forms can be downloaded and printed below.
 
Step 2 – Investigation
 
Upon receiving a complaint of unlawful harassment, the building principal shall immediately notify the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer shall authorize the building principal to investigate the complaint, unless the building principal is the subject of the complaint or is unable to conduct the investigation.
 
The investigation may consist of individual interviews with the complainant, the accused, and others with knowledge relative to the incident. The investigator may also evaluate any other information and materials relevant to the investigation.
 
The obligation to conduct this investigation shall not be negated by the fact that a criminal investigation of the incident is pending or has been concluded.
 
Step 3 – Investigative Report The building principal shall prepare a written report within fifteen (15) days, unless additional time to complete the investigation is required. The report shall include a summary of the investigation, a determination of whether the complaint has been substantiated as factual and whether it is a violation of this policy, and a recommended disposition of the complaint.
 
The findings of the investigation shall be provided to the complainant, the accused, and the Compliance Officer.
 
Step 4 – District Action
 
If the investigation results in a finding that the complaint is factual and constitutes a violation of this policy, the district shall take prompt, corrective action to ensure that such conduct ceases and will not recur.
 
Disciplinary actions shall be consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, Board policies and district procedures, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and state and federal laws.
 
If it is concluded that a student has knowingly made a false complaint under this policy, such student shall be subject to disciplinary action.
 
Appeal Procedure
 
1. If the complainant is not satisfied with a finding of no violation of the policy or with the corrective action recommended in the investigative report, s/he may submit a written appeal to the Compliance Officer within fifteen (15) days.
 
2. The Compliance Officer shall review the investigation and the investigative report and may also conduct a reasonable investigation.
 
3. The Compliance Officer shall prepare a written response to the appeal within fifteen (15) days. Copies of the response shall be provided to the complainant, the accused and the building principal who conducted the initial investigation.
 
Complaint Procedure – Employee/Third Party
 
Step 1 – Reporting
 
An employee or third party who believes s/he has been subject to conduct that constitutes a violation of this policy is encouraged to immediately report the incident to the building principal.
 
If the building principal is the subject of a complaint, the employee or third party shall report the incident directly to the Compliance Officer.
 
The complainant is encouraged to use the report form available from the building principal, but oral complaints shall be acceptable.
 
Report forms can be downloaded and printed below.
 
Step 2 – Investigation
 
Upon receiving a complaint of unlawful harassment, the building principal shall immediately notify the Compliance Officer. The Compliance Officer shall authorize the building principal to investigate the complaint, unless the building principal is the subject of the complaint or is unable to conduct the investigation.
 
The investigation may consist of individual interviews with the complainant, the accused, and others with knowledge relative to the incident. The investigator may also evaluate any other information and materials relevant to the investigation.
 
The obligation to conduct this investigation shall not be negated by the fact that a criminal investigation of the incident is pending or has been concluded.
 
Step 3 – Investigative Report
 
The building principal shall prepare a written report within fifteen (15) days, unless additional time to complete the investigation is required. The report shall include a summary of the investigation, a determination of whether the complaint has been substantiated as factual and whether it is a violation of this policy, and a recommended disposition of the complaint.
 
The findings of the investigation shall be provided to the complainant, the accused, and the Compliance Officer.
 
Step 4 – District Action If the investigation results in a finding that the complaint is factual and constitutes a violation of this policy, the district shall take prompt, corrective action to ensure that such conduct ceases and will not recur.
 
Disciplinary actions shall be consistent with Board policies and district procedures, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and state and federal laws.
 
If it is concluded that an employee has knowingly made a false complaint under this policy, such employee shall be subject to disciplinary action, including termination.
 
Appeal Procedure
 
1. If the complainant is not satisfied with a finding of no violation of the policy or with the corrective action recommended in the investigative report, s/he may submit a written appeal to the Compliance Officer within fifteen (15) days.
 
2. The Compliance Officer shall review the investigation and the investigative report and may also conduct a reasonable investigation.
 
3. The Compliance Officer shall prepare a written response to the appeal within fifteen (15) days. Copies of the response shall be provided to the complainant, the accused and the building principal who conducted the initial investigation.