The District is committed to maintaining an educational and workplace environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs, services, activities and facilities. The District is committed to providing equal opportunity in all areas of education, recruiting, hiring, retention, promotion and contracted service. In its programs and activities, the District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, disability, age, genetic information (inapplicable to students), or any other characteristic protected by law and as required by Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and state law. In addition, the District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. Further, no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination based on the above listed characteristics under a school nutrition program for which the District receives federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA Food and Nutrition Service).
The Policy governs the District compliance with the laws identified above, not including Title IX. The Director of Special Services has been designated as the District’s Section 504 Compliance Officer to handle complaints or inquiries regarding discrimination based on an individual’s disability. All other complaints or inquiries regarding the District’s non-discrimination policies will be handled by the Human Resources Director. Both Compliance Officers are authorized to coordinate compliance with the laws identified above including to handle inquiries or complaints regarding the District’s non-discrimination policies and can be contacted at 709 W. Centennial Avenue or 1515 Hazel Avenue, Carthage, Missouri, 64836, telephone number 417-359-7000.
A complaint by students, employees, parents, and patrons of the District alleging harassment, discrimination, or related retaliation based on a protected classification under the laws identified above (not including Title IX) should be filed in accordance with the procedures outlined in Regulation 1300. A complaint regarding sexual harassment or related retaliation of a student or employee under Title IX and that is alleged to have occurred on or after August 14, 2020, should be filed in accordance with the procedures outlined in Regulation 1301. A complaint regarding the identification, evaluation, educational program, or placement of a child with a disability under Section 504 should be filed in accordance with the procedures outlined in Regulation 2110.