In keeping with federal/state anti-discrimination legislation and district policy, the Board has adopted and hereby publishes the Grievance Procedure provided for the resolution of student, employee and parent complaints. The AAO has the responsibility to coordinate and implement the district’s efforts to comply with the regulations of New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) to promote a working
and learning environment free of discrimination.
Purpose: To provide students, employees and parents a procedure by which they can seek a remedy for alleged violations related to discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy), familial status, marital status, domestic partnership or civil
union status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for military service, and mental or physical disability, perceived disability, and AIDS and HIV status.
District Affirmative Action Officer:
Ms. Joanna Elia
[email protected]
973-773-9140 Ext. 11515
Definitions:
Grievance: A formal complaint, either submitted in writing or reported verbally
Grievant: Any student, employee, or parent aggrieved (unfair treatment) by a decision or condition falling under the guidelines of federal and/or state anti-discrimination laws.
Affirmative Action Officer: The district employee designated to coordinate efforts with anti-discrimination legislation and charged with the responsibility of investigating complaints.
To fill out the Affirmative Action Grievance/Complaint Form (Passaic ASCS), click the link — this will automatically download the form to your computer. You can complete the form using Microsoft Word or a third-party program like Adobe. Please do not use Google Docs, as it may interfere with the document’s formatting. Once completed, please attach a copy to an email and send it to the Affirmative Action Officer, Ms. Joanna Elia, at [email protected].
The grievant must present the complaint in written form to the Affirmative Action Officer (Use Affirmative Action Grievance Report).
The AAO will review the grievance and determine whether it involves a protected class. If so, they will initiate an investigation. If not, they will inform the grievant and refer the matter to the appropriate individual
The AAO will investigate and respond to the grievant within a reasonable timeframe based on the nature and individual circumstances of the investigation.
If not satisfied, the grievant may appeal within 10 working days to the CEO or designee (not AAO).
The CEO or designee must respond to the appeal within 5 working days.
If the grievant is not satisfied with the appeal response, they may appeal within 10 working days to the School Board which shall hear the complaint at the next regular meeting or within 30 calendar days
The School Board shall respond in writing to the grievant within 30 calendar days of hearing the grievant’s appeal.
If the grievant is not satisfied with Board's decision, the grievant can have it referred to the appropriate state or federal agencies listed below. Important Note: The grievant also maintains the right to bypass the school district grievance procedure and submit the complaint directly to the listed agencies.
NJ Department of Education
609-292-5706
PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625
31 Clinton Street, 3rd Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
973-648-2700
U.S. Department of Education
75 Park Place, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10007
212-264-3313 or 212-637-6330
Newark District Office
1 Newark Center, 21st Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
973-645-6383 or 800-669-4000
To fill out the Affirmative Action Grievance/Complaint Form (Passaic ASCS), click the link — this will automatically download the form to your computer. You can complete the form using Microsoft Word or a third-party program like Adobe. Please do not use Google Docs, as it may interfere with the document’s formatting. Once completed, please attach a copy to an email and send it to the Affirmative Action Officer, Ms. Joanna Elia, at [email protected].
