HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 08-05 WA Adopting Parent Student Complaint Procedure policy WESTLAKE ACADEMY
RESOLUTION NO. 08-05
ADOPTING AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE AND POLICY FOR
PARENTS AND STUDENTS OF WESTLAKE ACADEMY.
WHEREAS, the Westlake Academy Board of Trustees has considered the
several Complaints Procedure and Policies adopted by several area independent school
districts, as well as versions of complaint policies recommended by appropriate education
associations; and
WHEREAS, the Board has sought and received advice and counsel concerning
complaint policies from its education attorney; and
WHEREAS, under its authority to adopt local policies, the Board heretofore
has adopted a certain Complaint Procedure and Policies that is published in the
Parent/Student Handbook; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to amend the Complaint Procedure and Policies,
and to emphasize that these procedures must be followed before a complaint is presented
to the Board; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees finds that the policy attached hereto will (a)
define a more efficient way for students and parents to register a complaint or concern
with the school and a more efficient way for the school to respond to those complaints
and concerns, and (b) better protect the due process rights of teachers and students;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
WESTLAKE ACADEMY:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Trustees of Westlake Academy hereby adopts
the Complaints Procedure And Policy attached hereto.
SECTION 2. That this Resolution shall become effective upon the date of its
passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 25" DAY OF FEBRUARY 2008.
Scott Bradley, President
ATTEST:
r � n
i Sutter, Secretary Barbara Brizuel-, ead of School
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
L. Stanton Lowry, School Attorney
Westlake Academy Charter School
Parent/Student Question and Complaint Procedures
Except as addressed by SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS below, this Policy applies to all
complaints or grievances from students or parents.
• Expulsion (See the Westlake Academy Student Code of Conduct)
• Identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student with a
disability within the scope of Section 504.
• Identification, evaluation, educational placement, or discipline of a student
with a disability within the scope of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act, and the parents' rights handbook provided to parents of all
students referred to special education.
Informal Resolution:
Students and parents are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints through
informal conferences with the appropriate teacher, principal, or other campus
administrator.
It is the policy of the Westlake Academy Board to encourage early resolution of
concerns at the lowest possible staff or, if necessary, administrative level. Concerns
should be expressed, informally if possible and as soon as possible.
In that regard, Westlake Academy teachers can be contacted on a daily basis via the
student planner, e-mail or telephoning and leaving a voice mail. Teachers unable to
deal with a concern may refer to:
• School counselors
• The PYP, MYP or DP Coordinator
• Head of Section
• Head of School
If the informal process does not resolve the complaint the complainant may initiate the
formal complaint process. Notwithstanding any attempt to informally resolve a
complaint, a formal complaint must be initiated within 20 days of the date the
complainant first knew, or with reasonable diligence should have known of the
existence of the complaint See "Formal Complaint Process" below).
Formal Complaint General Provisions:.
•
"Complaints" and "Grievances" have the same meaning
• Complaints arising out of an event or a series of related events must be
addressed in one complaint. A student or parent may not bring separate or serial
complaints arising from any event or series of events that have been or could
have been addressed in a prior complaint.
• All time limits must be strictly followed unless modified by mutual written consent
and, if a complaint or the appeal of a decision about a complaint is untimely, the
complaint may be dismissed.
• For the purpose of this policy, "days" means school business days.
Formal Complaint Process:
1 . Within 20 days of the date a student or parent first knew, or with
reasonable diligence should have known, of the decision or action giving
rise to the complaint or grievance, an original complaint, in writing and
dated, describing the matter complained of and the date of the occurrence
or occurrences, must be presented to the lowest level administrator whom
the student or parent perceives to have authority to remedy the concern.
2. If that administrator is unable to resolve the complaint, the administrator
shall direct the complainant, in writing, to the next level administrator who
shall either resolve the complaint or direct the complainant in writing to the
next level, continuing until the complaint reaches the Head of School.
3. A complaint reaching the Head of School's level must be in writing, setting
out all prior attempts to resolve the complaint and the remedy requested.
The Head of School, or designee, may schedule a conference with the
complainant and within ten business days of receipt of the written
complaint, shall issue a written decision.
4. If the decision is unsatisfactory to the complainant, or if the Head of
School, or designee fails to respond timely, the complainant may, within 15
days of submission of the written complaint to the Head of School, submit
a written request to the Head of School to have the complaint considered
by the Board of Trustees.
5. If Board review is requested, the Head of School shall submit the entire
written record of the complaint and any further response to the President
of the Board of Trustees who shall create an Agenda item for
consideration of the complaint at the next available regular meeting, or the
next appropriate meeting thereafter. At that meeting the Board shall, at a
minimum, stop, look and listen to or consider the written complaint, and
any response thereto and may, or may not, issue a decision. Failure of
the Board to issue a decision at or before the next regular Board meeting
following the meeting at which the complaint was presented to the Board
will uphold the decision of the administration.
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