Affirmative Action
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What is Affirmative Action?
Affirmative Action is a State obligation requiring School Districts to appoint an Affirmative Action Officer, to coordinate and implement District efforts, to comply with State affirmative regulations and to promote a working and learning environment, free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status.
State and federal laws protect individuals against discrimination based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin/nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender (including pregnancy), marital status/civil union /domestic partnership status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, disability (actual, perceived, or regarded as ) or liability for service in the U.S. Armed Forces /military status.
State law also requires that the Affirmative Action Officer serve as the District’s Title IX Coordinator. Title IX is a federal law prohibiting discrimination in schools based upon sex. Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination.
The State’s intent is to ensure that all students receive equal access to educational programs and services, and to ensure equality in employment and contract practices.
The Affirmative Action Laws protect you and your children from sexual harassment, and other forms of harassment covered by the law.
Grievances
Purpose
Definitions
Grievance
A formal written complaint.
Grievant
Affirmative Action Officer
The district employee designated to coordinate efforts with anti-discrimination legislation and charged with the responsibility of investigating complaints.
Grievance Procedure
Step #1
Step #2
Step #3
Step #4
Step #4
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.
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.
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.
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.
Step #6
Step #7
Essex County Office of Education
Leroy Smith Public Safety Building
60 Nelson Place, 1st floor South
Newark, NJ 07102-1501
Phone: (973) 621-2750
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: