Nondiscrimination Statement

Public Notification of Nondiscrimination Policy

It is the policy of the School District of Whitefish Bay that no person shall, on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, medical condition or disease, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program, including Career and Technical Education courses, activity, or employment.  This policy also prohibits discrimination as defined by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1972, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The district encourages informal resolution of complaints under this policy. The formal complaint regulation procedure is as follows:

Any complaint regarding the interpretation or application of the district's nondiscrimination policy shall be processed in accordance with the following grievance procedures:

1. Any student, parent/guardian, resident, or employee of the School District complaining of discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, of learning disability or handicap in school programs or activities shall report the complaint, in writing, to the Director of Special Education & Pupil Services or the Director of Human Resources.  The contact information for the Director of Special Education & Pupil Services and the Director of Human Resources is as follows:

Related to Pupil Services
Stacy Gahan, Ph.D.
Director of Special Education & Pupil Services
School District of Whitefish Bay
1200 E. Fairmount Ave.
Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
(414) 963-3924
stacy.gahan@wfbschools.com

Related to Employment
Cindi Maier, MA, PHR, SHRM-CP
Director of Human Resources
School District of Whitefish Bay
1200 E. Fairmount Ave.
Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
(414) 963-3881
cindi.maier@wfbschools.com

a. Discrimination complaints relating to the identification, evaluation, educational placement or the provision of a free appropriate public education of a child with exceptional educational needs shall be processed in accordance with established special education appeal procedures.  (Chapter 115, Subchapter V, Wis. Stats.)

b. Discrimination complaints relating to programs specifically governed by federal law or regulation shall be referred directly to the State Superintendent.

2. The Director of Special Education & Pupil Services or Director of Human Resources will provide a written acknowledgment within twenty (20) days of the receipt of the written complaint.  The Director of Special Education & Pupil Services or Director of Human Resources will investigate with the building principal, or other appropriate persons, the facts comprising the alleged discrimination and prepare a written report of the facts.  Within fifty (50) days after receiving the complaint, the Director of Special Education & Pupil Services or Director of Human Resources shall decide the merits of the case, determine the action to be taken, if any, and report in writing the findings and the resolution of the case to the grievant.

3. If the grievant is dissatisfied with the decision of the Director of Special Education & Pupil Services or Director of Human Resources, he/she may, within five (5) business days of such decision, appeal the decision in writing to the School Board.  The School Board shall hear the appeal at its next regular business meeting, or a special meeting may be called for the purpose of hearing the appeal.  The school board shall make its decision in writing within ninety (90) days after the School District's receipt of the complaint, unless the parties agree to an extension of time.  Copies of the written decision shall be mailed or delivered to the grievant and the Director of Special Education & Pupil Services or Director of Human Resources.

4. If the grievant is dissatisfied with the School Board's decision, he/she may within thirty (30) days appeal the decision in writing to the State Superintendent.

5. Complainants are reminded that appeals may also be made to the Regional Director of the Office of Civil Rights for federal discrimination law violations. 

Any questions concerning this policy should be directed to the Director of Special Education & Pupil Services or Director of Human Resources, School District of Whitefish Bay, 1200 E. Fairmount Ave., Whitefish Bay, WI 53217.

Reference: Board Policy 411; Board Policy 511