Grievance Procedure

 

Step #1 - The grievant must present the complaint in written form to the responsible person designated as the Building Affirmative Action Representative and/or District Affirmative Action Officer, Kevin E. Guyton. Mr. Kevin E. Guyton can be reached by email K.Guyton@eresc.com or by phone at (973) 405-6262.

 

Step #2 - The Affirmative Action Building Representative/District Affirmative Action Officer has five working days from the time the complaint is received to investigate and provide a response. Depending on the nature of the investigation, additional time may be needed and the grievant will be notified accordingly.

 

Step #3 - If the grievant is not satisfied, the grievant may appeal within ten-working days in writing to the District Superintendent.

 

Step #4 - Response by the Superintendent or designee must be given within five working days from the time the appeal is received by the Superintendent.

 

Step #5 - If the grievant is not satisfied at this level, an appeal in writing may be made within ten working days to the Essex Regional Educational Services Commission Board of Education, which will hear the complaint at the next regular meeting or within thirty calendar days of receiving the appeal. The appeal can be written in business letter format with documentation from steps 1-4 attached.

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A Board hearing shall be conducted so as to accord due process to all parties involved in the complaint such as written notice of hearing dates, right to counsel, right to present witnesses, right to cross-examine and to present written statement. The decision of the Board shall be by a majority of the members at a meeting which shall be public.

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Step #6 – The  Essex Regional Educational Services Commission Board of Education shall respond to the grievant within thirty calendar days from the hearing date.

 

Step #7 - If the grievant is not satisfied with Board's decision, the grievant can have it referred to the County Superintendent of Schools.

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Essex County Office of Education
Leroy Smith Public Safety Building
60 Nelson Place, 1st floor South
Newark, NJ 07102-1501
Phone: (973) 621-2750

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Step #8 - The grievant maintains the right to by-pass the grievance procedure and submit the complaint directly to any or all of the following agencies:

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1. The Commissioner of Education
     Bureau of Controversies and Disputes
     New Jersey Department of Education
     P.O. Box 500
     Trenton, New Jersey 08625
     Phone: (609) 292-5705

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2. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 

              Newark District Office
              1 Newark Center, 21st Floor
              Newark, New Jersey 07102
              Phone: 800-669-4000 or 973-645-6383

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3. U.S. Office for Civil Rights

    U.S. Department of Education
    32 Old Slip, 26th Floor
    New York, NY 10005-2500
    Phone 646-428-3900 or TDD: 877-521-2172
    Email: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov

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4. New Jersey Division on Civil Rights
    140 East Front Street, 6th Floor
    P.O. Box 090
    Trenton, NJ 08625-0090
    Phone: 609-292-4605 or TDD 609-292-1785

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