School Board Policy 1475

Students, parents and guardians have the right and responsibility to express school related concerns and grievances to the faculty and administration.  Students, parents and guardians shall be assured the opportunity for an orderly presentation and timely review of concerns and grievances.

GCCS encourages students, parents or guardians to first discuss concerns with the appropriate GCCS staff prior to bringing the issue to the Board so that the issue may be thoroughly investigated and addressed in a timely fashion. The Board will not act on an issue without input from the appropriate GCCS staff and may require a student, parent or guardian to meet with or discuss an issue with GCCS staff prior to considering a concern or grievance and addressing a matter.

All GCCS employees are expected to answer questions, receive input and professionally address concerns and grievances of students, parents and guardians. If an employee is unable to answer a question or resolve an issue, the employee must direct the person or the question to the appropriate GCCS employee.

The faculty and administration shall make an honest and forthright effort to resolve concerns and grievances as quickly as possible at the most immediate level of authority.   

The levels of authority shall be as follows:

1. Classroom related concerns – teachers

2. School related concerns (including policies, procedures, administration, unresolved classroom related concerns, etc.) – Principal, the Director of Student Services or Superintendent or their designee

3. Appeals – the Board of Directors

Decisions rendered by the Board of Directors shall be considered final.

Any teacher, staff member, or administrator shall have the authority to table any meeting considered to be unproductive, threatening, hostile or inappropriate.

Resolving Student Concerns and Grievances

The following guidelines are established for the presentation of student concerns and grievances:

1. The Principal shall schedule a conference with the student and any staff members involved to attempt to resolve the concern. Parents or Guardians may be involved in the conference, or a later conference to include parents or guardians may be scheduled at the discretion of the principal.

2. If the concern or grievance is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student, a request may be submitted in writing for review by the Superintendent or their designee. Such a written request for review should identify the alleged violation of Board policy or school rule or the alleged unjust act, along with all facts the student would like the superintendent or their designee to consider. The superintendent may schedule a conference to meet with the student and staff to consider the concern and will inform participants of the action that will be taken.

3. If the student is not satisfied with the action of the Superintendent, they may submit a written request for review by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors, at its discretion, may permit the student to present its concern to the Board of Directors.  The decision of the Board of Directors shall be final.

Resolving Parent Concerns or Grievances

The following guidelines are established for the presentation of parent and guardian concerns and grievances:

1. Concerns or grievances should first be addressed to the teacher or staff member directly involved.

2. If a satisfactory resolution has not been reached in step 1, the concerns or grievances shall be presented in writing or via email to the principal of the school.  The principal will provide a written response to the individual raising the concern or grievance  within ten business days of receiving the written concerns or grievance.  

3. If a satisfactory resolution has not been reached in step 2, the concerns or grievances shall be presented in writing to the Superintendent.  The Superintendent or their designee will provide a written response to the complainant within ten business days of receiving the concern or grievance.

4. If a satisfactory resolution has not been reached in step 3, the parent or guardian may request that the issue be put on the Board agenda. In addition, written comments submitted to the superintendent or the secretary of the Board that are directed to the Board will be provided to the entire Board. The Board is not obligated to address a complaint. If the Board elects to permit the parent or guardian to present the concern or grievance to the Board, the secretary to the Board will inform the parent or guardian of the next scheduled meeting and that the Board will allow the parent of guardian to address the Board.  Any decision of the Board is final. Otherwise, if the Board does not elect to allow the parent or guardian to present their concern or grievance to the Board, the Superintendent's decision on the issue is final.

Prohibition against Retaliation

The Board strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against any student, parent or guardian for bringing a concern to the attention of the GCCS or participating in the grievance process. This prohibition extends to relatives and others associated with the person who brought the concern or grievance. The Board directs all GCCS employees to cooperate in investigations of concerns or grievances.