Code No. 102 

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

It is the goal of the board to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in the students enrolled in the school district. Each student attending school will have the opportunity to use its education program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual growth. In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that assures each student the same educational opportunity.

The Iowa City Community School District does 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 Laura Gray, Director of Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness (programming), gray.laura@iowacityschools.org Eric Howard, Director of Equity and Employee Relations (employment), howard.eric@iowacityschools.org, 1725 N. Dodge Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245, (319) 688-1000.

Board policies, rules and regulations affect students while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending 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 other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school 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 Laura Gray, Director of Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness (programming), gray.laura@iowacityschools.org or Eric Howard, Director of Equity and Employee Relations (employment), howard.eric@iowacityschools.org, 1725 N. Dodge Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245, (319) 688-1000.

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) 730-1576 OCR.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.

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Legal Reference: 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 Reference: 101 Educational Philosophy of the School District 401.1 Equal Employment Opportunity 500 Objectives for Equal Educational Opportunities for Students 506.1 Student Records

Adopted: 6/22/21 Reviewed: Revised:

Code No. 104 

ANTI-BULLYING/ANTI-HARASSMENT

The Iowa City Community School District is committed to providing all students, employees, and volunteers with a safe and civil school environment in which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect.

Bullying and/or harassing behavior can seriously disrupt the ability of school employees to maintain a safe and civil environment, and the ability of students to learn and succeed. Bullying and/or harassment of or by students, staff, and volunteers is against federal, state, and local policy and is not tolerated by the board.

Accordingly, school employees, volunteers, and students shall not engage in bullying or harassing behavior while on school property, while on school-owned or school-operated vehicles, while attending or participating in school-sponsored or sanctioned activities, and while away from school grounds if the conduct materially interferes with the orderly operation of the educational environment or is likely to do so.

Complaints may be filed with the superintendent or designee pursuant to the regulation accompanying this policy. Complaints will be investigated within a reasonable time frame.

A school employee, volunteer, or student, or a student’s parent or guardian who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of bullying or harassment, in compliance with the procedures in the regulation, to the appropriate school official designated by the school district, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to participation in any administrative or judicial proceeding resulting from or relating to the report.

Retaliation Prohibited

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.

Any student found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, suspension and expulsion. Any school employee found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, termination of employment. Any school volunteer found to have violated or retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to, and including, removal from service and exclusion from school grounds.

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, the defined words shall have the following meaning: 

• “Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optic cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, and electronic text messaging. “Harassment” and “bullying” shall mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward a student based on the individual’s actual or perceived age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status, and which creates an objectively hostile school environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:
  • (1) Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property.
  • (2) Has a substantial detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health.
  • (3) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s academic performance. Has the effect of substantially interfering with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

• “Trait or characteristic of the student” includes but is not limited to age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status.
•  “Volunteer” means an individual who has regular, significant contact with students.

Filing a Complaint

A Complainant who wishes to avail themselves of this procedure may do so by filing a complaint with the superintendent or designee. An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the superintendent or designee committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 180 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.

Publication of Policy

The board will annually publish this policy. The policy may be publicized by the following means:

• Inclusion in the student handbook,
• Inclusion in the employee handbook
• Inclusion in the registration materials
• Inclusion on the school or school district’s web site,
• (other)

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Legal References: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1221-1234i. 29 U.S.C. § 794. 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d-2000d-7. 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 2et. seq. Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 280.28; 280.3. 281 I.A.C. 12.3(6). Morse v. Frederick, 551 U.S. 393 (2007) Cross References: 102 Equal Educational Opportunity 502 Student Rights and Responsibilities 503 Student Discipline 506 Student Records Adopted: 6/22/21 Reviewed: Revised:

Code No. 102.E1

ANNUAL NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

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

• Business Education
• Family and Consumer Sciences Education
• Industrial Education
• Health Occupations Education

It is the policy of the Iowa City 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 Laura Gray, Director of Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness (programs), gray.laura@iowacityschools.org or Eric Howard, Director of Equity and Employee Relations (employment), howard.eric@iowacityschools.org, 1725 N. Dodge Street, Iowa City, Iowa, (319) 688-1000.

Adopted: 6/22/21 Reviewed: Revised:

Code No. 102.E2

CONTINUOUS NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

It is the policy of the Iowa City 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 Laura Gray, Director of Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness (programs), gray.laura@iowacityschools.org or Eric Howard, Director of Equity and Employee Relations (employment), howard.eric@iowacityschools.org, 1725 N. Dodge Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245, (319) 688-1000.