Code No. 204.1
BOARD POLICIES
The Board of Directors has jurisdiction to legislate policy for the District. Board policy shall provide the general direction as to what the Board wishes to accomplish while allowing the administration and staff the professional prerogative to implement Board policies. The policy statements shall be the basis for the formulation of regulations, rules and procedures by the administration and staff.
Formulation and review of Board policies shall be considered as an ongoing process. Any person desiring the formulation, review or revision of a policy shall submit such request in writing to the Superintendent for initial consideration and for transmittal to the Board.
All suggested policies shall be submitted to the Board of Directors for discussion, additions, or changes. Final action on new policies or revised policies, or rescission of policies shall be taken no earlier than the next meeting following the one at which the proposal is made, except in cases of emergency. If the Board adopts a policy in an emergency situation, a statement regarding the emergency shall be included in the minutes. The Board shall have complete discretion to determine what constitutes an emergency. The policy shall be effective upon passage or the date stated on the policy as the effective date, whichever date is later.
A Board policy manual shall be kept in the central administration office, in the administrative office of each school attendance center, and each Board member shall have a copy. Persons wishing to inspect the Board policy manual shall contact the Board secretary.
It shall be the responsibility of the Board secretary to ensure that policy statements are distributed to the custodians of Board policy manuals within thirty days of adoption, revision, or rescission. Copies of changes in policies shall also be attached to the minutes of the meeting in which final action was taken to adopt or revise the policy. It shall be the responsibility of each Board member and administrator to keep the manual up to date and to surrender the manual to the Board secretary at the conclusion of his or her term of office or employment.
The Board shall, at least once every five (5) years, review the policy statements in the policy manual. A notation shall be made in the manual of the date of review.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Date of Revision: February 9, 2004
543074 |
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Legal References:
274.1, 277.31, 279.8, 280.12, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(2)
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code No. 204.2
Authority of the Board
The Board of Directors operates as a corporate body. Individual Board members may only exercise their authority when they vote to take action at a Board meeting. Without the consent of the Board of Directors, individual Board members have no authority to make decisions, to take actions to affect the management, or to act on behalf of the District or of the Board.
Date of Revision: February 9, 2004
543077 |
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Legal References:
274.7, 279.8, Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Code No. 204.3
Committees
Appointment. The Board of Directors shall appoint an advisory committee to assist in assessing, developing, establishing and evaluating educational needs, goals and plans of the District as required by law. The Board of Directors may appoint other advisory committees to assist in developing, establishing and evaluating educational needs, goals and plans of the District. The Board of Directors shall establish a projected timeline for completion of the assigned duties. The chair of a district advisory committee shall be appointed by the Board, or the Board shall specify that the committee shall elect a chair from its membership. Notice will be given to the public when a citizens' advisory committee is to be formed or when there is a vacancy on a committee. Any person desiring to serve on a citizens' advisory committee shall make known his or her wishes to the superintendent or to a Board member. The superintendent shall submit a list of suggested names to the Board for consideration.
Membership. There shall be no maximum on the number of times an individual may be appointed to an advisory committee or the number of advisory committees an individual may serve on. However, there shall be an attempt to have a wide range of viewpoints and backgrounds on advisory committees. Any Board member may attend meetings of committees.
Procedures. Unless otherwise authorized by federal or state law, meetings of advisory committees directly appointed or authorized by the Board shall be open to the public. The chair of the committee shall schedule all meetings of the committee, and shall give or designate some one to give notice of the time, date and place and of the tentative agenda of the meetings to all members of the committee, to the superintendent of schools, and to the Board secretary. The Board secretary shall then give notice in compliance with the open meetings law. The chair of the committee shall designate one of its members to act as secretary, who shall keep minutes of all meetings showing the date, time and place of all meetings, members present, and items discussed. A copy of the minutes shall be provided to all members of the committee, to the superintendent of schools and to the Board secretary. The Board secretary shall be the official custodian of the minutes. The committee may adopt rules for its conduct of affairs.
Functions. The functions of advisory committees shall be to study designated matters and to make written recommendations to the administration and to the Board of Directors. The Board retains all final decision-making authority. Reports of committees shall be circulated in advance through the superintendent's office except where otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors.
Compensation and Expenses. No member of an advisory committee (other than District employees) shall be compensated for service on the committee. All expenses, including, but not limited to, expenses for travel, outside consultants, resource materials and printing, to be incurred by a committee must be approved in advance by the superintendent.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Date of Revision: December 11, 2017
01436236 |
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Legal References:
Chapters 21 and 22, 258.9, 274.1, 275.51, 276.3, 276.9, 276.10, 279.8, 279.32, 280.12, 280.14, 291.6, 670.2, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(1), 12.3(6), 12.5(8), 12.8, 66.4(16), 95.4(4)
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code No. 204.4
Legal Counsel
The Board of Directors may appoint legal counsel to represent the District and to advise the Board and administration in carrying out their duties with respect to the numerous legal issues confronting the District.
The Board President, the Superintendent, the Board Secretary, and the Board Treasurer shall have the authority to contact the District's legal counsel on behalf of the District when it is deemed necessary. The necessity of the contact shall be determined by the President, by the Superintendent, by the Board Secretary or by the Board Treasurer. Other District officials and employees may contact the District's legal counsel with consent of the Board President or of the Superintendent.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Date of Revision: February 9, 2004
543079 |
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Legal References:
274.1, 279.8, 279.37, Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Code No. 204.5
Compensation; Reimbursement for Expenses
A member of the Board may not receive a salary or other compensation for services on the Board. Actual expenses, including travel, incurred by the members in the performance of official duties will be paid or reimbursed.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Date of Revision: February 9, 2004 543080 |
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Legal References:
Chapter 68B, 277.27, 279.7A, 279.32, 670.2, 721.2(3), Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Code No. 204.6
Conflicts of Interest
Members of the Board, as elected officials, are bound to serve the public's interests. Board members must be able to make decisions objectively. No member of the Board shall:
l. Be an employee of the District.
2. Receive compensation from the District, but may receive reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.
3. Appoint a relative within the third degree of consanguinity to a paying position unless it is first approved by the Board.
4. Be an agent for a textbook or a school supply company.
5. Have an interest, direct or indirect, in a contract for the purchase of goods, including materials and profits, or for the performance of services with the District. However, it shall not be a conflict of interest for a Board member to have a contract with the District for the purchase of goods or services which benefit the member, if the benefit to the member does not exceed $2,500 in a fiscal year or if the contract is made upon competitive bid in writing, publicly invited and bid.
6. Engage in any outside employment or activity which is in conflict with the member's official duties and responsibilities. Situations in which an unacceptable conflict of interest shall be deemed to exist shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) The outside employment or activity involves the use of the school district's time, facilities, equipment and supplies or the use of the school district badge, uniform, business card or other evidence of office to give the Board member or member of the Board member's immediate family an advantage or pecuniary benefit that is not available to other similarly situated members or classes of members of the general public. For purposes of this section, a person is not "similarly situated" merely by being related to a Board member.
(b) The outside employment or activity involves the receipt of, promise of, or acceptance of more or other consideration by the Board member or a member of the Board member's immediate family from anyone other than the state or the school district for the performance of any act that the Board member would be required or expected to perform as part of the Board member's regular duties or during the hours in which the Board member performs service for the school district.
(c) The outside employment or activity is subject to the official control, inspection, review, audit or enforcement authority of the Board member during the performance of the Board member's duties of office or employment
If the outside employment or activity is employment or activity in (a) or (b) above, the Board member must cease the employment or activity. If the activity or employment falls under (c), then the Board member must:
It shall be the responsibility of each Board member to be aware of an actual or potential conflict of interest. It shall also be the responsibility of each Board member to take the action necessary to eliminate such a conflict of interest. Should a conflict of interest arise, a Board member should not participate in any action relating to the issue from which the conflict arose.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Date of Revision: February 9, 2004
543081 |
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Legal References:
Chapter 68B, 71.1, 277.27, 279.7A, 279.32, 301.28, 721.2(3), 721.11, Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Page 2 of 2 |
Code No. 204.7
GIFTS AND HONORARIA TO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS,
OFFICIALS, EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES
Except as otherwise provided in this policy, no Board member, employee or official of the District, or member of a Board member's, employee's or official's immediate family (spouse or dependent children) shall solicit, accept, or receive any gift or series of gifts, nor shall any Board member, employee or official of the District accept an honorarium, if the donor: (1) is or is seeking to be a party to one or any combination of sales, purchases, leases, or contracts with the District; (2) will personally be or is the agent of a person who will be directly or substantially affected financially by the performance or nonperformance of the Board member's, employee's or official's official duty in a way that is greater than the effect on the public generally; or (3) is a lobbyist or a client of a lobbyist with respect to matters within the District’s jurisdiction.
A "gift" for purposes of this policy shall include anything of value in return for which legal consideration of equal or greater value is not given. However, the following gifts will not be prohibited:
(1) a contribution to a candidate or candidate’s committee; or
(2) informational material relevant to official functions, such as books, pamphlets, reports, documents, periodicals or other information that is recorded in a written, audio or visual format; or
(3) anything received from a person related within the fourth degree by kinship or marriage, unless the donor is acting as an agent or intermediary; or
(4) an inheritance; or
(5) anything available or distributed free of charge to the public generally; or
(6) items received from a bona fide charitable, professional, educational, or business organization to which the board member, employee or official belongs as a dues paying member, if the items are given to all members of the organization without regard to the individual member's status or positions held outside of the organization and if the dues paid are not inconsequential when compared to the items received; or
(7) actual expenses for food, beverages, registration, travel, and lodging for a meeting which is given in return for the Board member's, official's or employee's participation in a panel or speaking engagement at the meeting when the expenses relate directly to the day(s) on which the Board member, official or employee has participation or presentation responsibilities; or
(8) plaques or items of negligible resale value given as recognition for public services; or
(9) nonmonetary items with a value of $3.00 or less received from one donor during one calendar day; or
(10) items or services solicited by or given to, for purposes of a business or educational meeting, a state, national, or regional government organization in which the District is a member, or solicited by or given for purposes of a business or educational meeting, a state, national, or regional government organization whose membership and officers are primarily composed of state or local government officials or employees; or
(11) items or services received as part of a regularly scheduled event that is part of a business or educational conference, seminar, or other meeting that is sponsored and directed by any state, national, or regional organization in which the District is a member, or received at such an event by members or representatives of members of state, national, or regional government organizations whose membership and officers are primarily comprised of state or local government officials or employees; or
(12) funeral flowers or memorials to a church or nonprofit organization; or
(13) gifts for a board member's, official's, or employee's wedding or 25th or 50th wedding anniversary; or
(14) payment of salary or expenses by the District for the cost of attending a meeting of a subunit of an agency when the employee whose expenses are being paid serves on a board, commission, committee, council or other subunit of the agency and the employee is not entitled to receive compensation or reimbursement of expenses from the District for attending the meeting; or
(15) gifts other than food, beverages, travel and lodging received by an employee which are received from a person who is a citizen of a country other than the United States and is given during a ceremonial presentation or as a result of a custom of the other country and is of personal value only to the recipient.
(16) actual registration costs for informational meetings or sessions which assist the Board member, official, or employee in the performance of the person's official functions. The costs of food, drink, lodging, and travel are not "registration costs" under this paragraph. Meetings or sessions which the Board member, official, or employee attends for personal or professional licensing purposes are not "informational meetings or sessions" under this paragraph.
An "honorarium" for purposes of this policy means anything of value that is accepted by, or on behalf of, a Board member, official or employee of the District, as consideration for an appearance, speech, or article. However, the following "honoraria" may be accepted:
(1) payment of actual expenses for registration, food, beverages, travel, and lodging when the expenses relate directly to the day(s) on which the Board member, official, or employee has participation or presentation responsibilities; or
DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Page 2 of 3
(1) payment of actual expenses for registration, food, beverages, travel, and lodging when the expenses relate directly to the day(s) on which the Board member, official, or employee has participation or presentation responsibilities; or
(2) a non-monetary item if the Board member, official or employee donates the item within 30 days to a public body, a bona fide educational or charitable organization, or the department of general services of the State of Iowa; or
(3) a payment made to the Board member, official, or employee for services rendered as part of the Board member's, official's or employee's private business, trade or profession if the payment is commensurate with the actual services rendered and is not made because of the person's status as a public official or public employee but, rather, because of the Board member's, official's or employee's special expertise or other qualifications.
This policy shall not prohibit District employees from receiving nonmonetary gifts from or on behalf of students or groups of students for special occasions such as holidays, retirement, end of sessions, or periods of illness, provided the gift is not of excessive value and is not given to influence the employee's judgment in professional or official matters, but rather is given as a token of appreciation. No employee shall accept a monetary gift from or on behalf of a student or group of students.
It shall be the policy of the District to encourage students and their parents to donate an item for the District or for a classroom or activity in lieu of donating gifts personally to an employee.
It is the intent of the Board that District officials and employees be extremely cautious and circumspect about accepting any gratuity, favor, or gift. The acceptance of personal benefits raises suspicions that tend to undermine public trust.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Date of Revision: December 11, 2017 |
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Legal References:
Chapter 68B, Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Page 3 of 3
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Code No. 204.8
Administrative and Management Team
The Board of Directors accepts and endorses the Administrative Team and the Management Team concept for the conduct of administrative relations in the District.
B. Management Team - includes the Administrative Team and the Board of Directors.
Total commitment at the behavioral level is required by all team members. Respecting expertise, qualifications, roles, and responsibilities allow for appropriate decision-making at many levels with positive and mutual support at all levels.
1. The Board of Directors is responsible for making the final decision in all matters pertaining to School District policy. The Board of Directors delegates the responsibility for the operation of schools to the Superintendent and hence to other administrators.
2. The Superintendent is the chief executive officer for the Board of Directors and the leader of the Administrative Team. These two roles are joined as the Superintendent convenes meetings of the Management Team to discuss District policy development, administrative procedures, and other matters.
3. All members of the Administrative Team are accountable to the Superintendent for their performance. All administrators and supervisors are responsible for administering their areas of operation as defined by Board policy, their job descriptions, and in keeping with the goals and objectives of the District. The building administrator is responsible for administering an educational unit in accordance with the individual's management document. A central office administrator or supervisor is responsible for administering a specific unit of operation in accordance with the individual's management document.
4. All members of the Management Team have the responsibility for exercising full expression during the decision-making process which leads to recommendations for Board action on policy matters. Those members of the team who shall be directly affected by the team's action shall be specifically called upon to provide the team with necessary information as well as their professional judgments as to the effects of various proposed actions. An attempt will be made for all team members to reach mutual agreement on areas discussed.
Date of Revision: February 9, 2004 543083 |
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Legal References:
279.8, Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Page 2 of 2
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Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Code No. 204.9
School Visitations by Board Members
Members of the Board of Directors are always welcome to visit the school buildings to observe the operations of the District. The Board members shall notify the administrative office when they are in the building for Board-related business.
While Board members are welcome to observe classes, the members should ensure that the presence of the members does not interfere with classroom activities. The Board members shall not visit a classroom to conduct an evaluation of a teacher.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Date of Revision: February 9, 2004 543084 |
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Legal References:
279.8, Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Code No. 204.10
Board of Directors and Elected Officials
Board members are encouraged to keep abreast of proposed revisions to the laws affecting public education and to express their opinions on such revisions. It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent to assist the Board members in keeping up-to-date on proposed laws and in contacting the elected officials who represent the citizens of the District.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Date of Revision: February 9, 2004 543075 |
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Legal References:
Chapter 68B, Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Code No. 204.11
COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
Purpose. The Board recognizes that situations may arise in the operation of the District which are of concern to parents or to the public. The Board strongly believes that all concerns should be resolved at the lowest possible level of decision-making by the individuals involved. Concerns are best dealt with in open communication by the individuals involved. Therefore, the purpose of these complaint procedures is to resolve, at the lowest possible level, and as expeditiously as possible, complaints of any person regarding any District matter. Anonymous complaints will not be processed under this procedure.
Exclusion. If there is another, more specific complaint procedure relating to a matter, the complaint shall be brought under such procedure rather than pursuant to this Policy. (For example, see Employee Complaint procedures, Student Records Appeal procedures, and Instructional Materials Reconsideration procedures.)
Procedures.
1. Any person with a complaint or concern regarding a District matter is encouraged to first talk with the school official or employee involved as soon as possible. However, if the matter involves a classified employee (such as a teacher associate, secretary, food service, bus driver or custodial employee), the person should start the process with the classified employee's immediate supervisor.
2. If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, the complainant shall file a written complaint with the school official or employee involved. The school official or employee shall indicate the disposition of the complaint in writing. However, if the matter involves a classified employee, the written complaint should be filed with the employee's immediate supervisor.
3. If the complainant feels that the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, the complainant shall file the complaint and the prior written disposition with the employee's immediate supervisor. If the matter involves a claim of discrimination or harassment, the complaint may be filed at this level or may be filed with the District's Compliance Officer. The supervisor or his/her designee (or the Compliance Officer) shall meet with the complainant and shall indicate the disposition in writing.
4. If the complainant feels that the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, the complainant shall file the complaint and any prior dispositions with the Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall meet with the complainant and shall indicate the disposition in writing.
5. If the complainant still feels that the matter is not satisfactorily resolved, the complainant may file the written complaint and any written dispositions with the Board Secretary. The Superintendent shall place the item on the Board's agenda. The complainant may appear at the Board meeting and discuss the matter with the Board. The administrative staff may also discuss the matter with the Board. The Board may refuse in its sole discretion to take action on the complaint, or the Board shall decide the matter as soon as practicable, and the Board Secretary shall communicate the Board's decision to the complainant. If the Board declines to decide the matter, the disposition of the Superintendent or his/her designee shall be final.
Complaints Regarding Employees. Complaints arising regarding the performance or behavior of an employee shall be referred to the employee's immediate supervisor. The Board shall not actively investigate such complaints regarding employees. Such complaints shall be handled as confidentially as reasonably practical. The immediate supervisor may require that the complaint be in writing. Appeals shall be taken to the Superintendent or his/her designee as set forth above.
If the matter is not resolved, the complainant may appeal to the Board setting forth in writing the specifics of the complaint. However, in appeals to the Board regarding complaints about employees, the Board shall review only the actions of the Superintendent or his/her designee to assure that the Superintendent provided a fair procedure for the resolution of the complaint. In addition, prior to the meeting at which a complaint is heard about any employee, the Board Secretary or Superintendent shall ascertain whether the matter may be legally discussed in closed session and shall ascertain from the employee whether the employee wishes to have the matter discussed by the Board in closed session. The employee may respond to the complaint at the meeting at which the complaint is heard by the Board, or if the employee needs additional time to adequately respond, the Board may schedule a second meeting for the employee to respond.
Interference. Investigations and processing of complaints shall be conducted so as to result in no interference with or interruption of school activities.
Date of Review: December 11, 2017
Date of Revision: February 9, 2004 543076 |
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Legal References:
279.8, Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Page 2 of 2
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Code No. 204.11
Exhibit A
Page 1 of 3
COMPLAINT FORM
Date Filed:
Name of Complainant:
Telephone Number:
Address:
Statement of Complaint (include specific statement of incident(s), dates, persons involved, witnesses, and any other pertinent facts):
Remedy Sought:
Date you held informal meeting with employee involved:
Signature of Complainant Date
Code No. 204.11
Exhibit A
Page 2 of 3
Date Received by District employee:
Response by employee:
Signature of Employee Date
I wish to have this reconsidered by the employee's supervisor.
Signature of Complainant Date
Date Received by Supervisor
Date of Conference with Supervisor
Response by Supervisor:
Signature of Supervisor Date
I wish to have this reconsidered by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Signature of Complainant Date
Code No. 204.11
Exhibit A
Page 3 of 3
Date Filed with Superintendent
Date of Conference with Superintendent
Response by Superintendent:
Signature of Superintendent Date
I wish to have this matter placed on the Board agenda:
Signature of Complainant Date
Dated Received by Board Secretary:
Placed on Board Agenda for:
Date Time
Code No. 204.11
Exhibit A
Page 1 of 3
COMPLAINT FORM
Date Filed:
Name of Complainant:
Telephone Number:
Address:
Statement of Complaint (include specific statement of incident(s), dates, persons involved, witnesses, and any other pertinent facts):
Remedy Sought:
Date you held informal meeting with employee involved:
Signature of Complainant Date
Code No. 204.11
Exhibit A
Page 2 of 3
Date Received by District employee:
Response by employee:
Signature of Employee Date
I wish to have this reconsidered by the employee's supervisor.
Signature of Complainant Date
Date Received by Supervisor
Date of Conference with Supervisor
Response by Supervisor:
Signature of Supervisor Date
I wish to have this reconsidered by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Signature of Complainant Date
Code No. 204.11
Exhibit A
Page 3 of 3
Date Filed with Superintendent
Date of Conference with Superintendent
Response by Superintendent:
Signature of Superintendent Date
I wish to have this matter placed on the Board agenda:
Signature of Complainant Date
Dated Received by Board Secretary:
Placed on Board Agenda for:
Date Time