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Discrimination Grievance (Policy AC)

Policy AC 
Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation

The Webster Groves School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. In accordance with law, the district strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Webster Groves School District is an equal opportunity employer. The board also prohibits:

  1. Retaliatory actions including, but not limited to, acts of intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination against those who:
  2. Make complaints of illegal discrimination or harassment.

a. Report illegal discrimination or harassment.

b. Participate in an investigation, formal proceeding or informal resolution, whether conducted internally or externally, concerning illegal discrimination or harassment.

c. Aiding, abetting, inciting, compelling or coercing illegal discrimination, harassment or retaliatory actions.

3. Discrimination, harassment or retaliation against any person because of such person's association with a person protected from discrimination or harassment in accordance with this policy and law.

As used in this policy, "discrimination, harassment or retaliation" has the same meaning as "illegal discrimination, harassment or retaliation" and is limited to acts prohibited by law. All employees, students and visitors must immediately report to the district for investigation any incident or behavior that could constitute discrimination, harassment or retaliation in accordance with this policy. If a student alleges sexual misconduct on the part of any district employee to any person employed by the district, that person will immediately report the allegation to the Children's Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services in accordance with state law. In accordance with this policy and as allowed by law, the district will investigate and address discrimination, harassment and retaliation that negatively impact the school environment, including instances that occur off district property or are unrelated to the district's activities.

Additional Prohibited Behavior
Behavior that is not unlawful or does not rise to the level of illegal discrimination, harassment or retaliation might still be unacceptable for the workplace or the educational environment. The district encourages students, employees and the public to report such behavior so that it can be promptly addressed, but the grievance process in this policy is reserved for allegations of illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

Link to Policy AC
Policy AC: Prohibition Against Illegal Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation 

Compliance Officer 
The board designates the following individual to act as the district's compliance officers:
Director of Learning Support and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Webster Groves School District
400 E. Lockwood
Webster Groves, MO 63119
Phone: 314-961-1233 / Fax: 314-918-4023
Email: policyac@wgmail.org 

How to File A Grievance

Grievance should be filed as soon as practicable from the date on which the alleged discrimination occurred or the person filing the complaint learned of the alleged discrimination.  The WGSD Policy Grievance Reporting Form may be accessed here. You may email (policyac@wgmail.org), fax (314.918.4023) or mail (WGSD 400 E. Lockwood Webster Groves, MO 63119) this grievance form to the WGSD Compliance Officer’s attention  Grievance Process

  1. A grievance is filed with the district's compliance officer. The compliance officer may conduct the Level I investigation or assign an administrator or other qualified individual to conduct the investigation. If the compliance officer determines that the grievance allegations involve sexual harassment under policy ACA, the report will be routed accordingly.

    • An investigation will commence no later than five working days after the compliance officer receives the grievance. The investigator shall conduct a prompt, impartial, adequate, reliable and thorough investigation, including the opportunity for the person filing the grievance and other parties involved to identify witnesses and provide information and other evidence. The investigator will evaluate all relevant information and documentation relating to the grievance.

    • Within 30 working days of receiving the grievance, the investigator will complete a written report that summarizes the investigation and makes determinations as to the facts and whether the facts constitute a violation of this policy based on the appropriate legal standards. If someone other than the compliance officer conducted the investigation, the compliance officer will receive the report and either adopt the report as submitted or modify and complete the report upon further investigation and/or review of applicable policy and law. If a violation of this policy is found, the compliance officer will recommend corrective action to the superintendent to address the discrimination, harassment or retaliation; prevent recurrence; and remedy its effects. The person who filed the grievance, the victim if someone other than the victim filed the grievance, and any alleged perpetrator will be notified in writing, within five working days of the completion of the report, in accordance with law and district policy, regarding whether the district's compliance officer or designee determined that district policy was violated.

  2. Appeal Process (Level II)

    1. Within five working days after receiving the Level I decision, the person filing the grievance, the victim if someone other than the victim filed the grievance, or any alleged perpetrator may appeal the compliance officer's decision to the superintendent by notifying the superintendent in writing. The superintendent may designate another person (other than the compliance officer) to review the matter when appropriate.

    2. Within ten working days, the superintendent will complete a written decision on the appeal, stating whether a violation of this policy is found and, if so, stating what corrective actions will be implemented. If someone other than the superintendent conducts the appeal, the superintendent will review and sign the report before it is given to the person appealing. A copy of the appeal and decision will be given to the compliance officer or acting compliance officer. The person who initially filed the grievance, the victim if someone other than the victim filed the grievance, and any alleged perpetrator will be notified in writing, within five working days of the superintendent's decision, regarding whether the superintendent or designee determined that district policy was violated.

  3. Board Appeal Process (Level III)

    1. Within five working days after receiving the Level II decision, the person filing the grievance, the victim if someone other than the victim filed the grievance, or any alleged perpetrator may appeal the superintendent's decision to the board by notifying the board secretary in writing. The person filing the grievance and the alleged perpetrator will be allowed to address the board, and the board may call for the presence of other persons the board deems necessary. 

    2. The board will issue a decision within 30 working days for implementation by the administration. The board secretary will give the compliance officer or acting compliance officer a copy of the appeal and decision. 

    3. The person who filed the grievance, the victim if someone other than the victim filed the grievance, and the alleged perpetrator will be notified in writing, within five working days of the board's decision, in accordance with law and district policy, regarding whether the board determined that district policy was violated.

    4. The decision of the board is final.

Confidentiality and Records

To the extent permitted by law and in accordance with board policy, the district will keep confidential the identity of the person filing a grievance and any grievance or other document that is generated or received pertaining to grievances. Information may be disclosed if necessary to further the investigation, appeal or resolution of a grievance, or if necessary to carry out interim or disciplinary measures. The district will disclose information to the district's attorney, law enforcement, the CD and others when necessary to enforce this policy or when required by law. 

In implementing this policy, the district will comply with state and federal laws regarding the confidentiality of student and employee records. Information regarding any resulting employee or student disciplinary action will be maintained and released in the same manner as any other disciplinary record. The district will keep any documentation created in investigating the complaint including, but not limited to, documentation considered when making any conclusions, in accordance with the Missouri Secretary of State's retention manuals and as advised by the district's attorney.

Office for Civil Rights

The availability and use of this grievance procedure does not prevent a person from filing a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the Office for Civil Rights. The enforcement office serving Missouri can be contacted at:

Kansas City Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 320
Kansas City, MO 64106
Telephone: 816-268-0550
FAX: 816-268-0599; TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: OCR.KansasCity@ed.gov