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COMMUNITY COMPLAINTS AND INQUIRIES
The Board of Education welcomes inquiries about and constructive criticism of the district's programs, equipment, operations and personnel. The Superintendent shall develop procedures to investigate and solve problems promptly, and to provide accurate factual information in answer to inquiries. Such procedures shall conform to state law and applicable negotiated agreements. Parents/guardians and pupils will be informed of the proper avenues to follow. These procedures shall provide parents with the means to express concerns, inquiries, or complaints in a manner that is informed, preserves the best interests of students, and respects the rights of parents and employees. They shall be based on the premise that most issues of potential conflict can be resolved amicably at the lowest administrative level. Such resolutions are most likely when all parties feel that they will be respected. Parents are to be assured that no staff member or administrator will take any action against children as a consequence of a complaint. Similarly, staff and administrators are to be assured that they will be informed of any complaints and be provided an opportunity to respond. Board of Education members or administrators not directly involved in a particular issue shall withhold comment, commitment and/or opinion and refer the complainant to this policy, related administrators, and administrative procedures. Copies of this policy, and information related to the process, shall be made available in all of the district’s schools. This material shall be provided to any individual making a request or who may need assistance in accessing appropriate personnel. Questions or concerns about any district program, curriculum, Board policy and/or procedure, transportation issue, or other areas not related to the performance of a particular employee or service provider, shall be addressed to the administrator with supervisory responsibility for that activity. Parents are encouraged to meet with that administrator to discuss concerns. If these steps do not bring resolution, the parent should follow the procedures outlined on the attached chart, ”Public Inquiries and Complaints Process.” The Superintendent or the Board of Education shall not become involved with complaints regarding employees until the necessary contacts have been made at the lower levels. Complaints regarding pupil records or due process under special education regulations are addressed in policy numbers 5125 and 6171.4 respectively. Disciplinary action against any Board employee resulting from a complaint shall be consistent with procedures for progressive discipline and in accordance with contractual provisions and State regulations. If the Superintendent and the staff cannot resolve the problem, the communications and complaints shall be referred to the Board of Education for resolution. All signed complaints shall be acknowledged promptly by the appropriate administrator. Date: April 14, 1986 February 12, 2001, First Reading August 27, 2001 Approved Legal References: N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq. Open Public Meetings Act N.J.S.A. 18A:11-1 General mandatory powers and duties N.J.S.A. 18A:54-20 Powers of board (county vocational schools) Cross References: 1120 Board of education meetings 4112.6 Personnel records 4116 Evaluation 4148 Employee protection 4212.6 Personnel records 4248 Employee protection 5145.6 Pupil grievance procedure 6144 Controversial issues 6161.1 Guidelines for evaluation and selection of instructional materials 6161.2 Complaints regarding instructional materials 6163.1 Media center/library 9010 Role of the member 9020 Public statements 9123 Appointment of board secretary Key Words Community Complaints and Inquiries, Complaints, Inquiries |
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