Seymour High School
732 Boyds Creek Highway. Seymour, TN 37865
Phone (865) 577-7040
Fax (865) 609-6819 Guidance Fax (865) 579-1492
Non-Discrimination Policy/Grievance Procedure
NOTE: The Sevier County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, handicap, or veteran status in provision of educational opportunities, programs, activities, or employment opportunities and benefits. Inquiries or completed grievance forms should be referred to the Larry Stott, Title VI Coordinator; or Mike Helton, Title IX Coordinator; 226 Cedar Street, Sevierville, Tennessee 37862.
For any special education concerns, please contact Janet Johnson at 577-7040.
Anyone who believes s/he has a valid basis for grievance can discuss it informally and on a verbal basis at the point of grievance (e.g. school level) or with the Title VI or Title IX Coordinator. A formal grievance may be filed with the Title VI or Title IX Coordinator, who shall in turn investigate the complaint or refer it to a designee to investigate and reply to the grievance within ten working days. Formal grievances can be made, whether the informal process is used or not, according to the following steps:
I. Filing a Grievance
Anyone who believes that the school system or its agents has discriminated against him/her or another individual should file a complaint within 180 days. The completed grievance form should be sent to the Title VI or Title IX Coordinator as listed above; Sevier County Schools, 226 Cedar Street, Sevierville, TN 37862.
II. Resolution
It is the system's policy to investigate and resolve allegations of discrimination promptly and appropriately. The system can use a variety of tools to resolve grievances, including, but not limited to: Early Grievance Resolution, Agreement for Corrective Action, Grievance Committee Recommendation, or any approach, or combination of approaches, which may be initiated at any time.
A. Early Grievance Resolution – Provides the opportunity to immediately resolve the allegations prompting the grievance through either the informal or formal process.
B. Agreement for Correction Action – Fact finding techniques will utilize and agreement on the action will be signed by both parties (recipient and grievant).
C. Grievance Committee – A balanced committee comprised of system and non-system people can discuss the grievance and come to a consensus on the issue.
D. Other ways Complaints Can Be Resolved
1. If the system determines there is no factual basis for the complaint.
2. If the Grievant withdraws the grievance.
III. Additional Information for the Grievant
If the grievant remains unsatisfied, s/he may appeal through a written statement to the Superintendent, along with an attached copy of the original grievance, and the system’s response to that grievance, within ten (10) business days. If note satisfied with the superintendent’s response, the grievant may appeal to the School Board. (Note: Upon appeal to the School Board, the grievant waives the right to confidentiality.) In an attempt to resolve the grievance, the Board of Education or its designees shall meet with the concerned parties and their representative with ninety (90) days of the receipt of such an appeal. A copy of the Board’s disposition of the appeal shall be sent to each concerned party within ten (10) business days of the meeting.
The grievant should be aware of the right to take the complaint to the State Department of Education, Civil Rights Coordinator, 6th Floor, Andrew Johnson Towers, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243; to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 2048, 04-3010, Atlanta, GA 30301; or take court action without fear of prohibition or retaliation.
For any special education concerns, please contact Janet Johnson at 577-7040.
Anyone who believes s/he has a valid basis for grievance can discuss it informally and on a verbal basis at the point of grievance (e.g. school level) or with the Title VI or Title IX Coordinator. A formal grievance may be filed with the Title VI or Title IX Coordinator, who shall in turn investigate the complaint or refer it to a designee to investigate and reply to the grievance within ten working days. Formal grievances can be made, whether the informal process is used or not, according to the following steps:
I. Filing a Grievance
Anyone who believes that the school system or its agents has discriminated against him/her or another individual should file a complaint within 180 days. The completed grievance form should be sent to the Title VI or Title IX Coordinator as listed above; Sevier County Schools, 226 Cedar Street, Sevierville, TN 37862.
II. Resolution
It is the system's policy to investigate and resolve allegations of discrimination promptly and appropriately. The system can use a variety of tools to resolve grievances, including, but not limited to: Early Grievance Resolution, Agreement for Corrective Action, Grievance Committee Recommendation, or any approach, or combination of approaches, which may be initiated at any time.
A. Early Grievance Resolution – Provides the opportunity to immediately resolve the allegations prompting the grievance through either the informal or formal process.
B. Agreement for Correction Action – Fact finding techniques will utilize and agreement on the action will be signed by both parties (recipient and grievant).
C. Grievance Committee – A balanced committee comprised of system and non-system people can discuss the grievance and come to a consensus on the issue.
D. Other ways Complaints Can Be Resolved
1. If the system determines there is no factual basis for the complaint.
2. If the Grievant withdraws the grievance.
III. Additional Information for the Grievant
If the grievant remains unsatisfied, s/he may appeal through a written statement to the Superintendent, along with an attached copy of the original grievance, and the system’s response to that grievance, within ten (10) business days. If note satisfied with the superintendent’s response, the grievant may appeal to the School Board. (Note: Upon appeal to the School Board, the grievant waives the right to confidentiality.) In an attempt to resolve the grievance, the Board of Education or its designees shall meet with the concerned parties and their representative with ninety (90) days of the receipt of such an appeal. A copy of the Board’s disposition of the appeal shall be sent to each concerned party within ten (10) business days of the meeting.
The grievant should be aware of the right to take the complaint to the State Department of Education, Civil Rights Coordinator, 6th Floor, Andrew Johnson Towers, 710 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243; to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, P.O. Box 2048, 04-3010, Atlanta, GA 30301; or take court action without fear of prohibition or retaliation.