File:  AC - NON-DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

The Framingham Public Schools does not tolerate discrimination against anyone on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or pregnancy status, disability, homelessness, religion, age or immigration status. The Framingham Public Schools is also committed to maintaining a school environment free of harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or pregnancy status, age, genetic information, ethnic background, ancestry, disability, or any category protected by state or federal law. In addition, the District provides equal access to all designated youth groups. Consistent with the requirements of the McKinney-Vento Act, the District also does not discriminate against students on the basis of homelessness.

The Superintendent shall designate at least one administrator to serve as the compliance officer for the District´s non-discrimination policies in education-related activities, including but not limited to responding to inquiries related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Age Act; M.G.L c. 76, § 5; M.G.L. c. 151B and 151C; and 603 C.M.R. § 26.00. Inquiries about the application of Title IX to the District may be referred to the District´s Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, or both.

The Framingham Public Schools´ policy of nondiscrimination will extend to students, staff, the general public, and individuals with whom it does business; no person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in employment, admission to a public school of Framingham or in obtaining the advantages, privileges, and courses of study of such public school on account of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or pregnancy status, age, genetic information, ethnic background, ancestry, disability, or any category protected by state or federal law. 

In addition to designating at least one administrator to handle inquiries regarding the District´s non discrimination policies, the Superintendent shall adopt and publish one or more grievance procedures for addressing reports of discrimination, harassment and retaliation under the protected classes identified in this policy. If an individual is interested in filing a complaint that they have been discriminated against  s. 5; 603 CMR 26.03 as amended by Chapter 199 of the Acts of 2011; MGL. c.  because of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or pregnancy status, disability, homelessness, religion, age or immigration status, their complaint should be filed in accordance with the District´s grievance procedures for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

The student handbooks and grievance procedures shall identify the name, office address and telephone number for the compliance officer(s) for the above-referenced statutes and this policy and be posted on the District´s website.

LEGAL REFS.:  Title VI: 42 U.S.C. 2000d; 34 CFR 100.3(a),(b); EEOA: 20 U.S.C. 1703(f); Title  IX: 20 U.S.C. 1681; 34 CFR 106.31, 106.34, 106.35; Section 504: 29 U.S.C. 794;  34 CFR 104.4; Title II: 42 U.S.C. 12132; 28 CFR 35.130; IDEA 2004: 20 U.S.C.  1400; 34 CFR 300.110; NCLB: Title III, Part A, Sec. 3121(c)(1)(C); Title X, Part C, Secs. 721, 722(g)(4); Mass. Const. amend. art. 114; M.G.L. c. 71A, s. 7; c. 76, 

71, s. 370; 42 USC s. 2000c et seq.; 42 USC s. 2000d et seq.; 20 USC s. 1701 et

seq.; M.G.L c. 71, Sec. 84; MGL c. 151B; 151C.

This policy was updated and approved by the Framingham School Committee in Open Session on April 26, 2023