In compliance with Title VI & 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 in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, Gunnison Watershed School District offers educational programs, activities, and employment opportunities that do not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family composition, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law.
Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The following person has been identified as the Title IX Coordinator for complaints alleging sex-based harassment under Title IX, the District Compliance Officer for Section 504/ADA disability complaints related specifically to students, and as the District Compliance Officer for all other complaints of unlawful discrimination or harassment:
Director of Special Services
District Administration Offices at Lake School
800 N. Boulevard St. Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-7750
[email protected]
COMPLAINT FORM
Outside agencies
Complaints regarding violations of Title VI (race, national origin), Title IX (sex), or Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.
User Guide for Reporting Complaints of Discrimination,
Including Complaints of Harassment, Based on a Protected Class
Overview of District Policies and Regulations
The district is committed to providing a safe learning and work environment where all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect. In furtherance of this commitment and as required by federal and state law, the district has adopted Policy AC, which is its foundational policy prohibiting discrimination (including harassment) based on an individual’s membership in a "protected class" as defined in Policy AC.
Policy AC incorporates the district’s legal obligation under various federal civil rights laws, including but not limited to Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and applicable state nondiscrimination laws, including but not limited to the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, the Protecting Opportunities and Workers’ Rights (POWR) Act, and the Prevent Harassment and Discrimination in Schools legislation codified in C.R.S. 22-1-143.
Among other things, Policy AC (1) defines prohibited discrimination and harassment and other key terms, (2) identifies the district’s compliance officer and Title IX coordinator, (3) outlines at a general level the district’s obligation and process for receiving and responding to complaints of discrimination (including harassment), and (4) describes the district’s obligations to notify its community of its nondiscrimination policy and its obligation to train students and staff in connection with recognizing, reporting, responding to, and preventing discrimination.
To implement the nondiscrimination policy set forth in Policy AC, the district has adopted three regulations, each of which sets forth detailed procedures that the district will follow when it receives a complaint of discrimination (including harassment) based on a protected class. The regulations are as follows:
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AC-R-1, which contains the procedures that the district will follow when it receives a complaint of discrimination from a student.
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AC-R-2, which contains the procedures that the district will follow when it receives a complaint of discrimination from an employee, applicant for employment, or members of the public.
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AC-R-3, which contains the procedures that the district will follow when it receives a complaint of sex-based harassment, as defined by Title IX. Title IX’s investigation procedures for sex-based harassment are significantly different from the investigation procedures for other federal and state nondiscrimination laws, which is why the district has a separate procedure for these complaints.
In addition to the three implementing regulations set forth above, the district has adopted three exhibits relevant to Policy AC, as follows:
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AC-E-1, which is the legally required notice of nondiscrimination/equal opportunity. This exhibit essentially restates the prohibition on discrimination found in Policy AC.
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AC-E-2, which is a complaint form that can be completed and submitted by individuals who have experienced discrimination in violation of Policy AC.
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AC-E-3, which is a complaint form specific to Title IX for individuals who want to report sex-based discrimination in violation of Title IX.
Policy AC and the supporting regulations and exhibits identified above contain the district’s comprehensive policy and grievance procedures regarding reports of discrimination. Key terms appearing in the supporting regulations and exhibits have the definitions set forth in Policy AC.
How to Report Discrimination (including Harassment) in Violation of Policy AC
Anyone who experiences or witnesses discrimination (including harassment) in violation of Policy AC may report it to any district employee, including but not limited to the district compliance officer or Title IX coordinator (identified in AC-E-1), in the following ways:
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Verbally, by phone or in person, to a staff member, district compliance officer, or district Title IX coordinator;
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In writing, using the district forms linked in AC-R-1 or AC-R-2 (as applicable) or set forth in exhibits AC-E-2 or AC-E-3 (as applicable), or using another form or format of the complainant’s choosing, which can be submitted by email to [email protected], or in hard copy to the district compliance officer, 800 N. Boulevard Street, Gunnison, Colorado 81230, or a school front office.
Upon receiving a report and based on the identity of the complainant (e.g., student, employee, or member of the public) and the nature of the complaint (e.g., sex-based harassment or other discrimination), the district compliance officer will identify the applicable regulation (e.g., AC-R-1, AC-R-2, or AC-R-3) and initiate the grievance procedure set forth therein.
Questions or Concerns
Individuals who have questions or concerns about Policy AC and/or its supporting regulations or exhibits, or about reporting discriminatory conduct, should contact the district superintendent, the district compliance officer, or the district Title IX coordinator.
1 Note that harassment is a form of discrimination and is defined in alignment with federal and state law, including the POWR Act and C.R.S. 22-1-143, in Policy AC.
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