The Board of Education for the Rio Rancho Public Schools finds that the Rio Rancho Public Schools must provide equivalent opportunities and benefits for all genders in its athletics, academics, and training programs as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender by educational institutions that receive federal funds directly or indirectly. The Board further acknowledges that the school district must undertake continued evaluations of its compliance with Title IX, and that the school district must therefore take care to maintain a balance in the opportunities and benefits provided by its programs.
A. Non-Discrimination Policy Under Title IX The Rio Rancho Public Schools is committed to the philosophy of equal opportunity/equal access in all employment, educational programs, activities, and services. All students shall have the opportunity to participate in and receive benefits from all programs or activities including but not limited to course offerings, graduation requirements, athletics, counseling, employment assistance, extracurricular and other school-related activities. Discrimination in education or employment because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, age, physical or mental handicap, marital or parental status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or veteran status is prohibited.
B. Sexual Harassment Policy Under Title IX The Rio Rancho Public Schools is committed to a positive and productive working and learning environment free of discrimination. Discrimination adversely affects morale and interferes with employee and student ability to work and learn. The Rio Rancho Public Schools prohibits sexual harassment of its employees or students, whether committed by a co-worker, supervisor, subordinate, contractor, volunteer, or student. Such behavior constitutes grounds for disciplinary action up to and including discharge or expulsion. Whereas sexual harassment substantially compromises the attainment of educational excellence, the Rio Rancho Public Schools will not tolerate such behavior between members of the same or opposite sex. The Rio Rancho Public Schools also prohibits retaliation against:
1. any employee or student for having made a report of alleged sexual harassment, and
2. against any employee or student who has testified, assisted, or participated in the investigation of a report. Retaliation is itself a violation of State and Federal regulations prohibiting discrimination and may constitute a basis for disciplinary action up to and including discharge or expulsion.
This prohibition of sexual harassment applies to individuals attending any events on the property of the Rio Rancho Public Schools, whether or not school-sponsored, and to any school-sponsored events regardless of location. Any complaints of sexual harassment in violation of this policy should be reported within 180 calendar days of occurrence.
A copy of the Rio Rancho Public Schools sexual harassment policy may be obtained at each school-based administrative office and on its website. Nothing in this policy applying to Title IX and Section 504 is intended to alter the Rio Rancho Public Schools sexual harassment policies as set forth in policy #230 (employees) and #337 (students).
C. Creation Of Title IX Coordinator and Grievance Procedures for the Rio Rancho Public Schools
1. The Superintendent shall:
a. designate a district administrator to act as the school district’s Title IX Coordinator for a period of not less than two years or until the end of the designee’s employment, whichever is shorter;
b. ensure that the Title IX Coordinator has sufficient authority to monitor and evaluate the school district’s compliance with Title IX, conduct necessary investigations and issue reports to the Superintendent regarding the school district’s compliance with Title IX, and ensure that he or she has sufficient authority and the necessary procedures to investigate and report on all written complaints of alleged violations of Title IX or the school district’s policies regarding Title IX;
c. promulgate grievance procedures that allow any student or employee of the Rio Rancho Public Schools who believes he or she has been discriminated against, denied a benefit, or excluded from participation in any district education program or activity on the basis of sex in violation of this policy or Title IX to file a written complaint with the Title IX Coordinator;
d. ensure that the grievance procedures provide for investigation and review of all written complaints by the Title IX Coordinator and that the procedures also provide for notice and an opportunity for hearing on all written complaints by the creation of a hearing committee to hear matters unresolved by the Title IX Coordinator
e. ensure that the grievance procedures provide for a final appeal to the Board of Education.
Rio Rancho Public Schools
Adopted: August 9, 2004