9110 Equal Employment Opportunity

The Board of Education is committed to providing equal access to all categories of employment in this District, regardless of race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles like braids, locks and twists), color, national origin, creed, age, disability, pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition, ethnic group/ethnicity, weight, religion, religious practice, gender, sex, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, gender dysphoria, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, use of a guide dog, hearing dog or service dog or any other characteristic or basis protected by applicable law in employment or in its programs and activities and is prohibited by law, including by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The Board believes it to be in the interest of both students and the public to have a staff which is highly qualified and effective in performing the duties assigned to them and which contains a healthy diversity of personal backgrounds.

The Superintendent of Schools shall ensure that applicants for open positions in either the administrative, instructional or support staff of the district, are actively sought from members of any minority group which is underrepresented in that staff. The District will proactively seek diverse candidates by participating in job fairs and sending job notices to organizations such as LIBEA, NAACP and LILTA.

Investigation of Complaints and Grievances

The District will act to promptly, thoroughly and equitably investigate all complaints, whether verbal or written, of discrimination, and will promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further discrimination. All complaints will be handled in a manner consistent with the District’s policies, procedures and/or regulations regarding the investigation of discrimination and harassment complaints.

Prohibition of Retaliatory Behavior (Commonly Known as “Whistle-Blower” Protection)

The Board prohibits any retaliatory behavior directed against complainants, victims, witnesses and/or other individuals who participated in the investigation of a complaint of discrimination. Complaints of retaliation may be directed to the Civil Rights Compliance Officer (CRCO). In the event the CRCO is the alleged offender, the report will be directed to another CRCO, if the District has designated another individual to serve in that capacity, or to the Superintendent. If the complaint is against the Superintendent or a Board member, the complaint may be made to a CRCO, the Board President or the School Attorney.

When appropriate, follow-up inquiries will be made to ensure that discrimination has not resumed and that all those involved in the investigation of the discrimination have not suffered retaliation.

Candidates for open positions, as well as for promotion and transfer, will be given full consideration and evaluated on the basis of education, experience and ability, to determine fitness to perform the duties of the position. The rights, responsibilities and duties, which accrue to any position, will accrue equally to any employee in that position.
At no time will any candidate for employment, current employee or former employee suffer any adverse action, or be granted any benefit, for any reason other than personal merit or conduct, or in violation of any law or regulation. The Board is committed to non-discrimination in all areas related to employment including recruitment and appointment of employees, compensation and related benefits and grievance procedures.

Any person noting or suspecting a violation of this policy is encouraged to bring the matter to the attention of the Superintendent or the Board of Education.

Cross-ref:	0100, Equal Opportunity
Ref:	42 USC §§2000e-2000e-17 29 USC §206 Executive Order 11296 New York State Constitution Article I §11 Executive Law §296

 

 

 

 

 

Approved by the Board of Education: 12/13/07
Revision Approved by the Board of Education: 09/19/19
Reviewed by the Board of Education: 11/16/23

 

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