This complaint resolution applies to all programs administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), the Educate America Act and the Improving America's Schools Act (IASA).

A complaint is a formal allegation that a specific federal or state law or regulation has been violated, misapplied or misinterpreted by school district personnel of by Department of Education personnel.

Any parent or guardian, surrogate parent, teacher, administrator, school board member, or other person directly involved with an activity, program or project operated under the general supervision of the Department may file a complaint. Such a complaint must be in writing and signed: it will provide specific details of the situation and indicate the law or regulation that is allegedly being violated, misapplied or misinterpreted.

The written, signed complaint must be filed and the resolution in accordance with local district policy must be filed.

If the issue cannot be resolved at the local level, the complainant may file a complaint with the Missouri Department of Education. If there is evidence that the parties have attempted in good faith to resolve the complaint at the local level, the department may require the parties to do so and may provide technical assistance to facilitate such resolution.

Any person directly affected by the actions of the Department may file a similar written complaint if they believe state or federal laws or regulations have been violated, misapplied, or misinterpreted by the Department itself.

Anyone wishing more information about this procedure or how complaints are resolved may contact Dr. Charles Penberthy, Superintendent of Schools.

Public Complaint Procedures

The following steps are proper procedures to be followed by persons with questions or complaints regarding operation of the school district:

1. Complaints on behalf of individual students should be first addressed to the teacher.
2. Unsettled matters from (1) above or problems and questions concerning individual schools should be directed to the principal of the school.
3. Unsettled matters from (2) above, or problems and questions concerning the school district should be directed to the Superintendent of Schools.
4. If the matter cannot be settled satisfactorily by the Superintendent it should be brought to the Board of Education. Questions and comments submitted to the secretary of the Board in letter form will be brought to the attention of the entire Board at a regularly scheduled or called meeting.

If necessary, a board hearing will be scheduled to resolve the complaint. However, the decision of the Board will be final except in the case of complaints concerning administration of federal programs. In that case the complainant may go to the appropriate section of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and on to the United States Secretary of Education.

The Board considers it the obligation of the professional and support staff of the district to field the questions of parents/guardians or the public. Accordingly, the district will inform patrons of this complaint procedure and its availability for lodging complaints against the local district of the state.

Complaints regarding district compliance with nondiscrimination laws will be processed according to the grievance.

September, 2010