• Diversity and Equity Initiatives
     _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  • Section 504, Title VI, and Title IX

    Caesar Rodney School District has updated its Title IX Implementation – Policy 100.  To ensure Caesar Rodney is in compliance with the new regulations, Title IX training was administered to all potential staff that could serve as key members of an investigation.  The policy was approved by the Caesar Rodney School District Board.

    Title IX:  Civil Rights Act of 1972  (nondiscrimination on the basis of sex, educational programs)  Policy 100

    Compliance Coordinator – Supervisor of Instruction
    Grievance Officer – Supervisor of Human Resources

    Coordinator Role:  To coordinate the Caesar Rodney School District’s efforts to comply with and carry out the District’s responsibilities under Title IX, including any investigation of any complaint alleging noncompliance with Title IX or alleging actions that would be prohibited by Title IX. 

     

    Email:  OCR.Philadelphia@ed.gov

    OCR Electronic Complaint Form:  https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html

    Section 504

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
    District Coordinator – Director of Student Services
    Compliance Officers – Building Principals
    Building Access Issue Officer – Supervisor of Facilities Management
    Hearing Officer – Director of Curriculum and Instruction

    Role:  To coordinate the Caesar Rodney School District’s efforts to comply with disability discrimination laws. 

    The Caesar Rodney School District shall not discriminate in its employment practices or its educational programs and activities of students on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, domicile, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.

    Section 504 Compliance Officers’ responsibilities include overseeing all complaints of discrimination, identifying, and addressing any patterns or systemic problems that arise during the review of such complaints.

    The Caesar Rodney School District strives to provide an environment free from discrimination.  The District encourages students, parents, and staff to identify barriers to a discrimination-free and appropriate learning environment in all schools.  Any employee, parent/guardian of a student enrolled in the Caesar Rodney School District, or student eighteen years of age or older may file a grievance if he/she believes they or their child has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability by students, employees, or third parties.  All grievances will be received and investigated in a fair and expeditious manner.

    Title VI  

    Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
    Compliance Officer – Coordinator of Equity and Diversity
    Grievance Officer – Assistant Superintendent

    Role:  The Compliance Officer will be independent and impartial. The officer will promptly, thoroughly, and diligently investigate the allegations, and issue findings, and recommend equitable resolution. 

    GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE TO ADDRESS SECTION 504 AND TITLE VI DISCRIMINATION  

    Steps to Resolution

    Step 1:  The best solutions to parent/student concerns often occur at the school level.  Therefore, the District encourages parents/students to attempt to resolve concerns by working with the building principal or other appropriate building staff to reach a joint resolution of the issue.  Contact the building principal to arrange a meeting or to discuss the complaint. 

    Step 2:  If the issue is not resolved at the school level, the Caesar Rodney School District Grievance Form shall be submitted to the District Title VI Compliance Officer (Equity and Diversity Coordinator) or Title IX Compliance Officer within 180 calendar days of the alleged violation to request a hearing.  The Compliance Officer will be independent and impartial.  If he or she has prior knowledge of the situation, an independent and impartial designee shall be appointed.  He or she will thoroughly and diligently investigate the circumstances of the concern, obtain information as to relevant witnesses and evidence, obtain all relevant evidence, hear equally from the grievant’s witnesses, and other witnesses, and equally review all evidence from the grievant and accused and interview and obtain statements from all relevant witnesses, and then present a report of his or her finding of fact and conclusions within 30 business days.  The investigation will be adequate and reliable.

    The report of his or her findings shall be sent to the parties upon completion.  The complaint should be sent to: The Compliance Monitor for Title VI Complaints

    Title VI Compliance Monitor- Cliffvon Howell, Equity and Diversity Coordinator

    Caesar Rodney School District 7 Front Street Wyoming, DE 19934

    Tel:  (302) 698.4800

    Fax:  (302) 697.3406

  • COMPLAINT PROCEDURE TO ADDRESS TITLE VI DISCRIMINATION

  • The Title VI Compliance Officer’s responsibilities include overseeing all complaints of discrimination, identifying, and addressing any patterns or systemic problems that arise during the review of such complaints.

    The complainant shall submit the Caesar Rodney School District Title VI Complaint Form to the District Title VI Compliance Officer. The Caesar Rodney School District Title VI Complaint Form must be completed with all information requested and signed by the complainant.

    Title VI Compliance Officer

    Cliffvon Howell

    7 Front Street, Wyoming, DE 19934

    Cliffvon.Howell@cr.k12.de.us

    The Compliance Officer will be independent and impartial. If he or she has prior knowledge of the situation, an independent and impartial designee shall be appointed. He or she will promptly, thoroughly and diligently investigate the allegations and ensure equitable resolution. The Compliance Officer will obtain information as to relevant witnesses and evidence, obtain relevant evidence, hear equally from the complainant’s witnesses, and other witnesses, equally review all evidence from the complainant and respondent and interview and obtain statements from all relevant witnesses. After the completion of the investigation, the Compliance Officer will prepare a report of his or her finding of fact and conclusions within 30 business days. The report of his or her findings shall be sent to the parties upon completion.

    Either party may appeal the decision of the District Title VI Compliance Officer to the Superintendent (or designee) within 10 business days of receiving the Compliance Officer’s decision. The Superintendent (or designee) shall review all statements and evidence as well as the Compliance Officer’s report (or designee’s report), gather such additional evidence as deemed necessary, and then issue a written decision in response to the appeal no later than 30 business days after its filing. In the event there is a finding of discrimination, the District shall take remedial efforts and efforts to prevent recurrence and shall make all reasonable efforts to correct the discriminatory effects of a prohibited action.

    Any employee who is found to have engaged in conduct in violation of this policy may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

    Retaliation against any person because he or she opposed an unlawful educational practice or policy, or made charges, testified or participated in any complaint action under Title VI is prohibited and will in itself be cause for appropriate disciplinary action.  If an individual feels he/she has been subject to retaliation, he/she should file a complaint using the procedures set forth above.

    Any party aggrieved shall have the right to file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

    Office for Civil Rights, Philadelphia

    U.S. Department of Education

    The Wanamaker Building

    100 Penn Square East, Suite 515

    Philadelphia, PA 19107

    Tel: (215)656-8541

    Fax: (215)656-8605

    Email: OCR.Philadelphia@ed.gov