File:  KEB - PUBLIC COMPLAINTS ABOUT SCHOOL PERSONNEL

Complaints about school personnel will be investigated fully and fairly. However, before any such complaint is investigated, the complainant must submit his complaint in writing, Anonymous complaints will be disregarded.

Whenever a complaint is made directly to the School Committee as a whole or to a Committee member as an individual, it will be referred to the school administration for study and possible solution.

The following procedures are established to ensure that a citizen's complaint is given respectful attention and that the integrity of the educational program is upheld. "Complaint" in this regulation will be restricted in meaning to that criticism of particular school employees which includes or implies a demand for action by school authorities. Other comments and suggestions will be referred informally to affected personnel.

1. If a complaint comes first to the person against whom it is directed, s/he will listen courteously and will try to resolve the difficulty. In all such cases, the person against whom the complaint is directed shall notify his or her immediate supervisor. If the complaint remains unsatisfied, the employee will refer the complaint to the building Principal or other immediate supervisor to have the complaint considered further.

2. If a complaint comes first to the Principal or other supervisor of the person criticized, he or she should listen courteously or acknowledge a letter promptly and politely, but should make no commitments, admissions of guilt, or threats. If the complaint involves a particular employee, the supervisor may suggest a conference between the complainant and the person criticized and should inform that person immediately of the complaint.

If a complainant has already met with the person criticized and remains unsatisfied, the supervisor should invite the complainant to file his complaint in writing.

3. If a complaint comes first to any other school employee, that employee will refer the complainant to the person criticized and his or her Principal.

4. No further action on the complaint should be taken unless the complainant submits the complaint in writing.

5. When a written complaint is received, the Principal or other supervisor will schedule a conference with himself, or herself, the complainant, the person criticized or other personnel that either the supervisor or the person criticized feels could contribute to resolution of the problem.

6. If the complainant is not satisfied with the results of the conference above, he or she should then be referred to the Superintendent, who may handle the complaint personally or refer it to other personnel, as he or she may see fit.

7. Should dissatisfaction remain after the above steps have been taken, a parent or community member can always raise the issue at a public meeting of the Manchester Essex Regional School Committee.

FIRST READING:  2/27/01

ADOPTED:  3/13/01

SOURCE:  Manchester Essex