It is the policy of the Ankeny 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. 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 Ken Morris, Jr., Chief Diversity Officer at 306 SW School Street, Ankeny, IA 50023, 515/965-9600 or kenneth.morris@ankenyschools.org. The grievance will then be directed to the appropriate administrator charged with managing the program or department specified in the grievance.

Board policies, rules, and regulations affect students while they are on school district property and/or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school and/or chartered vehicles; while attending and/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/or other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the 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 contacting Ken Morris, Jr., Affirmative Action Coordinator, Ankeny Community School District, 306 SW School Street, Ankeny, IA 50023, 515/965-9600 or kenneth.morris@ankenyschools.org.

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) 730-1576OCR. Chicago@ed.gov, the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner, https://icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121 or the 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 References:
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, 280.3.
281 I.A.C. 12.

Cross References:
100.00 Statement of Educational Philosophy
107.00 Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex Prohibited
401.01 Equal Employment Opportunity

Adopted: December
21, 2015

Reviewed:
December 17, 2018
March 25, 2019
March 23, 2020
February 17, 2022

Revised:
December 17, 2018
March 25, 2019
March 23, 2020
March 21, 2022

102.00 E1
ANNUAL NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

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

• Applied Science, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing
• Arts, Communication, and Information Systems
• Business, Finance, Marketing, and Management
• Human Services

It is the policy of the Ankeny 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. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Chief Diversity Officer, Kenneth Morris, Jr., Chief Diversity Officer, at 306 SW School Street, Ankeny, Iowa 50023, (515) 965-9600, kenneth.morris@ankenyschools.org. For further guidance, visit the Iowa Department of Education website-Equity Guidance.

Reviewed:
March 19, 2018
December 17, 2018
March 25, 2019
March 23, 2020
February 17, 2022

Revised:
March 19, 2018
December 17, 2018
March 25, 2019
March 23, 2020
March 21, 2022

102.00 E2
CONTINUOUS NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

It is the policy of the Ankeny 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 Ken Morris, Jr., Chief Diversity Officer, at 306 SW School Street, Ankeny, IA 50023, 515/965-9600 or kenneth.morris@ankenyschools.org.

102.00 E3
NOTICE OF SECTION 504 STUDENT AND PARENTAL RIGHTS

The Ankeny 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 are 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 Ankeny 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 Kenneth Morris, Jr., Chief Diversity Officer, at 306 SW School Street, Ankeny, IA 50023, 515/965-9600 or kenneth.morris@ankenyschools.org.

Reviewed:
March 25, 2019
March 23, 2020
February 17, 2022

Revised:
March 25, 2019
March 23, 2020
March 21, 2022

102.00 E4
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION IN FEDERAL CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g.,
Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA
through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made
available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

102.00 R&R 1
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

It is the policy of the Ankeny 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 Kenneth Morris, Chief Diversity Officer, at 306 SW School Street, Ankeny, IA 50023, 515/965-9600 or kenneth.morris@ankenyschools.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 and/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 Chief Diversity Officer (Investigator). The alternate is Jessica Dirks, Chief Officer of Legal Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, at jessica.dirks@ankenyschools.org. An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the Investigator or superintendent committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 20 days (twenty) 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 Investigator shall assist the Complainant as needed.

Investigation

Within 2 (two) working days from receipt of the complaint unless there are extenuating circumstances, the Chief Diversity Officer will begin the investigation of the complaint and/or appoint a qualified person to undertake the investigation (hereinafter “Chief Diversity Officer”). If the Complainant is under 18 years of age, the Chief Diversity Officer shall notify the Complainant’s parent(s) that they may attend investigatory meetings in which the Complainant is involved. The complaint and identity of the Complainant, Respondent, and/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, and/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 15 (fifteen) working days unless there are extenuating circumstances, the Investigator shall complete the investigation and issue a report with respect to the findings.

The Investigator shall notify the Complainant and Respondent of the decision within 5 (five) 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 Investigator has issued the report, unless within 10 (ten) working days after receiving the decision, either party appeals the decision to the superintendent/designee by making a written request detailing why the Complainant believes the decision should be reconsidered. The Investigator shall promptly forward all materials relative to the complaint and appeal to the superintendent/designee.

Within 10 (ten) working days, the superintendent/designee shall affirm, reverse, amend the decision, or direct the Investigator to gather additional information. The superintendent/designee shall notify the Complainant, Respondent, and the Investigator of the decision within 5 (five) working days of the decision. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.

The decision of the superintendent/designee shall be final.

The decision of the superintendent/designee in no way prejudices a party from seeking redress through state or federal agencies as provided 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 time frames 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.

Reviewed:
March 25, 2019
March 23, 2020
February 17, 2022

Revised:
March 25, 2019
March 23, 2020
March 21, 2022