Non-Discrimination Policy
Equal Opportunities for All
(Policy 103.00 – Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination)
The board will not discriminate in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, or creed, as provided by applicable federal and state law. The board will not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, creed, age, or genetic information, as provided by applicable federal and state law.
The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors, and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules, and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.
The board is committed to the policy that no otherwise qualified person will be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in educational programs or activities or employment in violation of applicable federal and state law. Further, the board affirms the right of all students and staff to be treated with respect and to be protected from intimidation, discrimination, physical harm and harassment.
There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact the Compliance Officer designated by the board. Compliance Officer is the ADM Business Manager, 215 N. 11th St., Adel, IA 50003, 515-993-4283.
(Policy 103.00-E(1) – Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination)
The Adel DeSoto Minburn Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
- Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Business, Finance, Marketing and Management
- Human Services
- Applied Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing
Students, parents, employees, applicants for employment, and others doing business with or performing services for the Adel DeSoto Minburn Community School District are hereby notified that this school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age (for employment), national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status (for programs), socioeconomic status (for programs), disability, religion, creed, or genetic information (for employment) in admission or access to, or treatment in, its educational programs and activities and in its hiring and employment practices, as provided by applicable federal and state law.
There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. Any person with inquiries or complaints related to this policy is directed to contact the following individual who has been designated by the school district to coordinate the school district’s efforts to comply with nondiscrimination laws:
ADM Business Manager
District Administration Center
215 N. 11th St.
Adel, IA 50003
(515) 993 – 4283
Office hours: 8:00 – 4:00 PM Monday through Friday
Inquiries, including complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Region VII office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education , Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison St., Ste. 1475, Chicago, IL, (312) 730-1560, OCR.chicago@ed.gov, http://www.state.ia.us/government/crc/index.html or Iowa Dept. of Education, Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA. (515) 281-5294. This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.
Grievance Procedure Board Policy 103.00-R(1)
It is the policy of the Adel DeSoto Minburn Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Matt Lohmann, High School Assistant Principal, 801 Nile Kinnick Dr. S., Adel, IA 50003, 515-993-4584, matt.lohmann@admschools.org and/or Amy Hemphill, DeSoto Intermediate Principal, 317 Spruce, DeSoto IA 50069, 515-834-2424, amy.hemphill@admschools.org.
Students, parents of students, employees, and applicants for employment in the school district have the right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination. The district has policies and procedures in place to identify and investigate complaints alleging discrimination. If appropriate, the district will take steps to prevent the recurrence of discrimination and to correct its discriminatory effects on the Complainant and others.
A Complainant may attempt to resolve the problem informally by discussing the matter with a building principal or a direct supervisor. However, the Complainant has the right to end the informal process at any time and pursue the formal grievance procedures outlined below. Use of the informal or formal grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies. Please note that informal processes and procedures are not to be used in certain circumstances (e.g., sexual harassment and sexual assault).
Filing a Complaint
A Complainant who wishes to avail himself/herself of this grievance procedure may do so by filing a complaint with the equity coordinator(s). An alternate will be designated in the event it is claimed that the equity coordinator or superintendent committed the alleged discrimination or some other conflict of interest exists. Complaints shall be filed within 180 days of the event giving rise to the complaint or from the date the Complainant could reasonably become aware of such occurrence. The Complainant will state the nature of the complaint and the remedy requested. The equity coordinator(s) shall assist the Complainant as needed.
Investigation
Within 15 working days, the equity coordinator will begin the investigation of the complaint or appoint a qualified person to undertake the investigation (hereinafter “equity coordinator”). If the Complainant is under 18 years of age, the equity coordinator shall notify his or her parent(s)/guardian(s) that they may attend investigatory meetings in which the Complainant is involved. The complaint and identity of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses will only be disclosed as reasonably necessary in connection with the investigation or as required by law or policy. The investigation may include, but is not limited to the following:
- A request for the Complainant to provide a written statement regarding the nature of the complaint;
- A request for the individual named in the complaint to provide a written statement;
- A request for witnesses identified during the course of the investigation to provide a written statement;
- Interviews of the Complainant, Respondent, or witnesses;
- An opportunity to present witnesses or other relevant information; and
- Review and collection of documentation or information deemed relevant to the investigation.
Within 60 working days, the equity coordinator shall complete the investigation and issue a report with respect to the findings.
The equity coordinator shall notify the Complainant and Respondent of the decision within 5 working days of completing the written report. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.
Decision and Appeal
The complaint is closed after the equity coordinator has issued the report, unless within 10 working days after receiving the decision, either party appeals the decision to the superintendent by making a written request detailing why he/she believes the decision should be reconsidered. The equity coordinator shall promptly forward all materials relative to the complaint and appeal to the superintendent. Within 30 working days, the superintendent shall affirm, reverse, amend the decision, or direct the equity coordinator to gather additional information. The superintendent shall notify the Complainant, Respondent, and the equity coordinator of the decision within 5 working days of the decision. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.
The decision of the superintendent shall be final.
The decision of the superintendent in no way prejudices a party from seeking redress through state or federal agencies as provided by in law.
This policy and procedures are to be used for complaints of discrimination, in lieu of any other general complaint policies or procedures that may be available.
If any of the stated timeframes cannot be met by the district, the district will notify the parties and pursue completion as promptly as possible.
Retaliation against any person, because the person has filed a complaint or assisted or participated in an investigation, is prohibited. Persons found to have engaged in retaliation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures.
To access the district’s grievance form, click here.
Compliance Officer | Title IX Coordinator | Title IX Coordinator |
Eric Brown, Business Manager District Administration Center 215 N. 11th St. Adel, IA 50003 (515) 993-4283 eric.brown@admschools.org Office hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday |
Matt Lohmann, Assistant Principal ADM High School 801 Nile Kinnick Drive S. Adel, IA 50003 (515) 993-4584 matt.lohmann@admschools.org |
Amy Hemphill, Principal DeSoto Intermediate 317 Spruce DeSoto, IA 50069 (515) 834-2424 amy.hemphill@admschools.org |
The individuals listed above have been designated by the school district to coordinate the school district’s efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the ADA, § 504 and Iowa Code § 280.3.