STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Students and/or parents/guardians are encouraged to bring complaints/grievances to the member of the staff most directly involved. Matters will be resolved initially, wherever possible, by informal discussions between or among the interested parties.  For student and/or parent/guardian grievances regarding, discrimination, or complaints or grievances in matters of disciplinary action, academic areas, or school operational practices the following procedure shall be observed:

A reasonable period of time, not to exceed ten (10) working days, will be permitted for the filing of an appeal in writing at each successive level.  A decision at each level of appeal must be rendered in writing no later than thirty (30) working days after the appeal is filed, except that the Board shall have thirty calendar days to make its decision.

Level 1

The student and/or parent/guardian grievant, or their representative(s) shall first discuss the alleged grievance with the staff member directly involved.  If the student and/or parent/guardian are uncomfortable addressing the staff member involved they may request a meeting with the supervisor of the involved staff member. Meetings with the supervisor shall be documented in writing and include the date of the meeting, the nature of the complaint, and a description of the outcome of the meeting.

Level 2

If the grievant is not satisfied with the disposition of the grievance at Level 1, or if no decision has been remedied within thirty (30) working days after presentation of the grievance, they  may file the grievance with the principal.

Level 3

If the grievant is not satisfied with the disposition of the grievance at Level 2, or if no decision has been remedied within thirty (30) working days after presentation of the grievance, they may file the grievance in writing with the Superintendent.  The superintendent shall render a decision within thirty (30) working  days.

Level 4

If the grievant is not satisfied with the resolution of the grievance at Level 3, then the grievance shall be submitted in writing to the board of education within ten (10) working days of receipt of the decision of the superintendent, and the board shall render a decision in writing within thirty (30) calendar days after the submission of the said grievance. The grievant can request an appearance before the board of education. The board will decide if an appearance is appropriate on a case-by-case basis. The appearance shall be limited to fifteen (15) minutes. When an appearance occurs, the board shall render a decision within thirty (30) calendar days of the appearance.

Appeals

Complaints and inquiries that are not satisfactorily answered by the board may be appealed to the Commissioner of Education. Complaints and inquiries that are brought directly to the board shall be referred to the appropriate authority level established in these guidelines.  If the complaint is not resolved to the individual’s satisfaction or the individual is not satisfied by the written decision of the Board of Education, the individual may then file a petition of appeal of the Board of Education’s written decision to the Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with law (N.J.S.A. 18A:6-9) and the procedures set forth in the State Board of Education regulations.