VAN VLECK ISD BOARD POLICY FNG(LOCAL)
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: STUDENT AND PARENT COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES
INFORMAL PROCESS
The Board encourages students and parents to discuss their concerns with the appropriate teacher, principal, or other appropriate campus or District administrator who has the authority to address the concerns. Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible to allow early resolution at the lowest possible administrative level.
FILING DEADLINES
If a student or parent has engaged in the informal process in an attempt to resolve the complaint with the District and has not reached a resolution during the process, the student or parent shall have the later of:
- Ninety calendar days to file a complaint from the date the student or parent first knew, or with reasonable diligence should have known, of the decision or action giving rise to the complaint; or
- Thirty calendar days to file a complaint from the date on which the District provided information to the student or parent regarding how to file a grievance.
If the student or parent has NOT engaged in the informal process, the student or parent shall have no more than 60 calendar days from the date the student or parent first knew, or with reasonable diligence should have known, of the decision or action giving rise to the complaint or grievance to file a complaint using the appropriate forms.
All deadlines shall be strictly followed unless otherwise required by law or modified by mutual written consent.
FORMAL PROCESS
A student or parent may initiate the formal process described below by timely filing a written complaint form.
The complaint form shall be filed with the lowest level administrator who has the authority to remedy the alleged problem. In most circumstances, students and parents shall file Level One complaints with the campus principal for any complaint on a matter related to a campus.
LEVEL ONE
At Level One, the appropriate hearing officer shall hold a hearing with the complainant within 10 calendar days after receipt of the written complaint. The hearing officer may set reasonable time limits for the hearing.
The hearing officer shall provide the complainant a decision within 20 calendar days following the hearing.
LEVEL TWO APPEAL
If the complainant did not receive the relief requested at Level One or if the time for a decision has expired, the complainant may request a hearing at Level Two to appeal the Level One decision.
The appeal notice must be filed in writing, on a form provided by the District, within 20 calendar days of the date of the Level One decision or, if no decision has been communicated to the complainant, within 20 calendar days of the Level One decision deadline.
LEVEL THREE APPEAL
If the complainant did not receive the relief requested at Level Two or if the time for a decision has expired, the complainant may appeal the decision to the Board.
The appeal notice must be filed in writing, on a form provided by the District, within 20 calendar days of the date of the Level Two decision or, if no decision has been communicated to the complainant, within 20 calendar days of the Level Two decision deadline.
FREEDOM FROM RETALIATION
Neither the Board nor any District employee shall unlawfully retaliate against any student or parent for bringing a concern or complaint.
FILING METHODS
Complaint forms and appeal notices may be filed by hand-delivery, by electronic communication, or by U.S. Mail.
- Hand-delivered filings shall be timely filed if received by the appropriate administrator or designee by the close of business on the deadline.
- Electronic filings shall be timely filed if they are received by the close of business on the deadline, as indicated by the date/time shown on the electronic communication.