This school district is organized as a school corporation pursuant to the Constitution of the State of Iowa and Iowa law, and known as the Columbus Community School District (the “District”).
 
The District is located in Louisa County, Iowa.  The District’s affairs are conducted by elected school officials, the Columbus Community School District Board of Directors (the “Board”).  The District and the Board have exclusive jurisdiction over school matters in the territory of the District.
 
Approved: 1995-1996
Reviewed: 2001-2002; 2007-2008
Revised: November 19, 2007; March 18, 2013

The District and the Board are dedicated to promoting an equal opportunity for a quality public education to its students, within the limitations of the school district’s ability, in order to provide for students, in cooperation with the families and the school district community.
 
The Board is also dedicated to providing the opportunity for students to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional and physical self-concept in a learning environment that provides guidance, promotes critical thinking, and encourages each student to develop his/her full potential and become a productive citizen. 
 
The District and the Board endeavor, through the dedication of the District’s resources, to encourage students who come to the District from a variety of backgrounds to look forward to the time when they will have jobs, homes, families, and places in the community, and attain recognition as individuals. In order to achieve this goal, the District and the Board will seek qualified employees dedicated to the development of their professional skills for the betterment of the education program.
 
Instruction and curriculum are the key elements of a public education. Critical thinking and problem solving skills that will assist the students' preparation for life are instructed as part of a sequentially coordinated curriculum. The District strives to prepare students for employment, to discover and nurture creative talent and to prepare them to meet and cope with social change in an atmosphere conducive to learning.
 
The support and involvement of the home and the community are essential to achieve educational excellence in the educational program.  The District strives to maintain an active relationship with the home and the community to create within the students an awareness of the dignity and worth of the individual, civil responsibility and respect for authority.
 
Approved: 1995-1996
Reviewed: 2001-2002; 2007-2008
Revised: November 19, 2007; March 18, 2013

Long-range needs assessment enables the District to analyze assessment data, get feedback from the community about its expectation of students and determines how well students are meeting student learning. The Board will conduct ongoing and in-depth needs assessment, soliciting information from business, labor, industry, higher education and community members, regarding their expectations for adequate student preparation.
 
In conjunction with the in-depth needs assessment of the District, the Board will authorize the appointment of a committee, representing administrators, employees, parents, students and community members, to make recommendations and assist the board in determining the priorities of the District in addition to the basic skills areas of the education program. The District will provide opportunities for local community input and feedback on an on-going basis through our School Improvement Advisory Committee.
 
It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to ensure the District community is informed of students' progress on state and locally determined indicators. The Superintendent will report annually to the Board about the means used to keep the community informed.
 
As a result of the Board and committee's work, the Board will determine major educational needs and rank them in priority order; develop long-range goals and plans to meet the needs; establish and implement short-range and intermediate-range plans to meet the goals and to attain the desired levels of student performance; evaluate progress toward meeting the goals and maintain a record of progress under the plan that includes reports of student performance and results of school improvement projects; and annually report the District’s progress made under the plan to the committee, community and Iowa Department of Education.
 
Approved: 1995-1996
Reviewed: 2001/2002; 2007-2008
Revised: November 19, 2007; March 18, 2013
 

The District and the Board will not discriminate in its employment practices or educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, creed, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities), political party affiliation, marital status, or genetic information in accordance with all state and federal laws, rules and regulations.  Further, the District and the Board affirm the right of all students and staff to be treated with respect and to be protected from intimidation, discrimination, physical harm and harassment.
 
This nondiscrimination policy extends to educational programs, student activities and athletics, student behaviors, Columbus staff members, the public, Columbus employment practices, and all aspects under the jurisdiction of the Columbus Community School District.
 
The District and the Board will require all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the District to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.
 
Inquiries or grievances related to this policy may be directed to the the District Curriculum Director at the District Administrative Office, 1208 Colton Street, Columbus Junction, Iowa, 319-728-2911; to the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 400 East 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004, 1-800-457-4416; to the Office for Civil Rights Chicago Office, United States Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-4544, (312) 730-1560; or to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chicago Office, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60661, 1-800-669-4000.  Inquiries may also be directed to the Director, Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0146.
 
Approved: 1995-1996
Reviewed: 2001-2002
Revised: April 9, 2012; March 18, 2013

I,_____________________________ , am filing this grievance because:
 
 
 
 
 
(Attach additional sheets if necessary)
Describe incident or occurrence as accurately as possible:
 
 
 
(Attach additional sheets if necessary)
 
 
Signature                   __________________________________________
 
Address                      __________________________________________
 
Phone Number            __________________________________________
 
If student, Grade Level        __________________________________________
 
If student, Attendance Center ____________________________________

Name of Individual Alleging Discrimination or Non-Compliance:
 
Name                          ______________________________________________
 
Signature                   ______________________________________________
 
Date of Grievance                ______________________________________________
 
State the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested.
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate Principal's or Supervisor's response or action to above complaint.
 

Students, parents, employees and others doing business with or performing services for the District are hereby notified that this District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, creed, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities), political party affiliation, marital status, or genetic information in admission or access to, or treatment in, its programs and activities.
 
The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, creed, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities), political party affiliation, marital status, or genetic information in admission or access to, or treatment in, its hiring and employment practices.  Any person having inquiries concerning the District's compliance with federal and/or state non-discrimination law is directed to contact:
 
Name: Ms. Jeni Laughlin
Title: Curriculum Director
Location: 1208 Colton St.
Telephone Number: 319-728-2911
 
This individual has been designated by the District to coordinate the District's efforts to comply with federal and/or state non-discrimination laws.
 
Revised: March 18, 2013
 

Students, parents of students, employees, and applicants for employment in the school district will have the right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination under federal or state regulations requiring non-discrimination in programs and employment.
 
Level One - Principal, Immediate Supervisor or Personnel Contact Person (Informal and Optional - may be bypassed by the grievant)
Employees with a complaint of discrimination based upon their race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, creed, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities), political party affiliation, marital status, or genetic information are encouraged to first discuss it with their immediate supervisor, with the objective of resolving the matter informally.
 
An applicant for employment with a complaint of discrimination based upon their race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, creed, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities), political party affiliation, marital status, or genetic information are encouraged to first discuss it with the personnel contact person.
 
A student, or a parent of a student, with a complaint of discrimination based upon their race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, creed, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities), political party affiliation, marital status, or genetic information are encouraged to discuss it with the instructor, counselor, supervisor, building administrator, program administrator or personnel contact person directly involved.
 
Level Two - Compliance Officer
If the grievance is not resolved at Level One and the grievant wishes to pursue the grievance, the grievant may formalize it by filing a complaint in writing on a Grievance Filing Form, which may be obtained from the Compliance Officer. The complaint will state the nature of the grievance and the remedy requested. The filing of the formal, written complaint at Level Two must be within fifteen working days from the date of the event giving rise to the grievance, or from the date the grievant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The grievant may request that a meeting concerning the complaint be held with the Compliance Officer. A minor student may be accompanied at that meeting by a parent or guardian.
 
The Compliance Officer will investigate the complaint and attempt to resolve it. A written report from the Compliance Officer regarding action taken will be sent to the involved parties within a reasonable time after receipt of the complaint.
 
Level Three - Superintendent/Administrator
If the complaint is not resolved at Level Two, the grievant may appeal it to Level Three by presenting a written appeal to the superintendent within five working days after the grievant receives the report from the Compliance Officer, the grievant may request a meeting with the Superintendent. The superintendent may request a meeting with the grievant to discuss the appeal. The superintendent will render a decision within a reasonable time after the receipt of the written appeal.  If, in cases of disability grievances at the elementary and secondary level, the issue is not resolved through the grievance process, the parents have a right to an impartial hearing to resolve the issue.
 
Level Four - Appeal to Board
If the grievant is not satisfied with the superintendent's decision, the grievant can file an appeal with the board within five working days of the decision. It is within the discretion of the board to determine whether it will hear the appeal.
 
The Compliance Officer is:
Mrs. Jeni Laughlin, District Curriculum Director
District Administrative Office
1208 Colton Street
Columbus Junction, IA
Phone Number: 319-728-2911
Office Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
 
This procedure in no way denies the right of the grievant to file formal complaints with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or Office of Special Education Programs, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the Iowa Department of Education for mediation or rectification of civil rights grievances, or to seek private counsel for complaints alleging discrimination.