1.

A grievance is a claim by a student, parent, employee or group thereof that he/she has suffered harm or injury by the interpretation, application or violation of a contract, a school board policy, a law or constitutionally guaranteed rights.  The term "grievance" does not include matters for which the method of review is prescribed by law where the school board is without authority to act.

2.

Employees covered by this procedure shall mean permanent employees of the Board

Step 1.

After informally and thoroughly discussing any grievance with the Superintendent or his/her designee, upon reaching no satisfactory resolution of the grievance, a student, parent, or employee shall promptly present the grievance in writing to the Superintendent or his/her designee.  Such notice shall be presented no later than five (5) working days from the date of discussion.  The written grievance submitted shall state the nature of the grievance and the harm or injury caused that initiated the grievance.  The employee and the Superintendent or designee shall attempt to resolve the grievance.  The Superintendent or designee shall make a proper disposition of the grievance and shall reply to the grievant within five (5) working days following the date of submission.  If the grievance is not submitted within the time prescribed, the grievant shall be deemed not to have further right with respect to said grievance.

Step 2.

In the event the grievant wishes to appeal the decision at Step 1, of if no decision has been rendered in the time specified, the appeal must be presented to the Superintendent in writing within five (5) working days of the receipt of the Step 1 decision.  Such appeal shall contain a statement of the grievance and specified references to the action taken causing the grievance.  Upon receipt of such a written appeal, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall schedule a hearing at a specific date and time and send proper notice of the scheduled hearing to the grievant.  The Superintendent or designee, at the date and time specified, shall conduct a full hearing on the grievance, and in doing so, maintain a transcript of the proceedings.  Following the hearing, the Superintendent or designee shall make a written recommendation for disposition of the grievance and provide a copy of the transcript to the School Board at a meeting of the Board.

Step 3.

After reviewing the transcript of the grievance hearing and the recommendation of the Superintendent or designee, the Board then shall dispose of the grievance.

1.

A grievance may be withdrawn at any level without prejudice or record.  Additionally, there shall be no recrimination against a person because a grievance has been filed in accordance with the provisions outlined herein.

2.

Copies of all written decisions of grievances shall be sent to all parties involved.

3.

All documents, communication, or records dealing with a grievance shall be made part of the grievant's files and shall be destroyed only in accordance with Board policy.

4.

Appeals of grievance decisions will be limited to the specific issues raised in the original grievance.  The parties involved will not be allowed to expand the issues during the grievance procedure, except to the extent necessary to respond to administrative decisions made along the way.

5.

Failure by the grievant to meet the timelines and requirements of this procedure shall result in dismissal of his grievance.  Failure by the administrative person rendering the decision to meet timelines and requirements of this procedure shall allow the grievant, at his option, to proceed to the next level of appeal.

6.

If an employee leaves the employment of the Board during the pendency, at any level, of a complaint or grievance, then the employee loses the right to continue the complaint process.