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office of equity and inclusion
Complaint Procedures
I. Procedures for Filing Complaint of Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, or Other Form of Illegal Harassment
A. Procedure for Filing Complaints
- Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against or placed in a hostile environment, based on actual or perceived identity with regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, political or religious beliefs, nation or ethnic origin, veteran status, or any other distinguishing physical or personality characteristics, by an employee, volunteer, agent or student of the School District should within sixty (60) days of the alleged occurrence file a written or oral complaint. The complaint should set forth a description of the alleged discriminatory actions/harassment, the time frame in which the alleged discrimination occurred, the person or persons involved in the alleged discriminatory actions, and any witnesses or other evidence relevant to the allegations in the complaint.
- The complaint should be filed with the Executive Director, Office of Equity and Inclusion. If the complaint is against the District’s Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Superintendent, or other member of the School Board, the complaint may be filed with the Office of General Counsel.
- An investigation will be conducted by the Office of Equity and Inclusion within thirty (30) days, or by the General Counsel within thirty (30) days, if the complaint is against the Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
- The investigative report will be forwarded to the Superintendent. Complainant and Respondent shall be notified in writing of the outcome of the investigation.
- The Complainant or Respondent may request a review of the finding by the Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion or General Counsel by the Superintendent within ten (10) days of receipt of this notice. The Complainant shall provide a written statement detailing facts in support of his or her disagreement with the determination. The Superintendent shall within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice make a final determination as to whether there is reasonable cause to believe a discriminatory practice occurred.
- If review by the Superintendent is not timely requested, the Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion or General Counsel’s determination of no reasonable cause shall be final.
- Complaints against School Board Members or against the Superintendent
A. Complaints against School Board members or the Superintendent shall be filed with the General Counsel. The General Counsel will within twenty (20) days appoint an outside, independent investigator to conduct an investigation and make a recommendation as to whether a discriminatory practice has occurred. It is recommended, but not mandatory, that the investigator be an attorney familiar with federal and state law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of a protected status.
B. Penalties for Confirmed Discrimination or Harassment
- Student – A substantiated allegation of discrimination or harassment against a student shall subject that student to disciplinary action as outlined in the District’s Anti-Bullying policy and the Codes of Student Conduct.
- Employee or Volunteer – A substantiated allegation of discrimination or harassment against an employee may result in disciplinary actions including termination and referral to appropriate law enforcement authorities. A volunteer shall be removed from service and a referral may be made to appropriate law enforcement authorities.
Contact:
Josephine Jackson, J.D.
Executive Director
Office of Equity and Inclusion
Duval County Public Schools
1701 Prudential Drive, 4th Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32207-8182
Phone: (904) 390-2181
Fax: (904) 390-2536
Email
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