NORTHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION FILE CODE: 5145.6
Northfield, New Jersey Monitored
Mandated
Policy X Other Reasons
STUDENT GRIEVANCE
Purpose
The Northfield Board of Education recognizes that, as citizens, students have the right to request redress of grievances. Further, the board believes that the inculcation of respect for lawful procedures is an important part of the educational process. Accordingly, individual and group grievances should be provided for and appropriate appeal procedures implemented.
Definition
For the purpose of this policy, a student complaint or grievance shall be any such that arises out of actions, procedures and policies of this board or its employees or the lack of such policy or procedure.
Authority
The board or its employees will hear the complaints and grievances of the students of this district, provided that such complaints and grievances are made according to procedures established by board policy.
A. The student should first make the grievance known to the staff member most closely involved and both shall attempt to resolve the issue informally and directly;
B. For grievances which must move beyond the first step, the student shall prepare a written statement of his/her grievance which shall set forth:
1. The specific nature of the grievance and a brief statement of the facts giving rise to it;
2. The manner in which and the extent to which the student has been adversely affected;
3. The relief sought by the student;
4. The reasons why the student feels he/she is entitled to the relief sought;
5. Whether or not, in the opinion of the student, other students are similarly adversely affected and, if so, what group or groups of students.
C. The grievance may then be submitted to the building principal, the chief school administrator, and the board in turn, and with a suitable period of time allowed at each level for the hearing of the grievance and the preparation of a response, but response shall be made within ten (10) school days, and at each level the student shall be afforded the opportunity to be heard personally by the school authority;
D. At each step beyond the first, the school authority hearing the grievance may call in the student’s parent/guardian, provided that the student is not 18 years of age or older;
E. The student may conduct the grievance procedure with the help of a parent/guardian at any step;
F. When a grievance proceeds to the board, the board shall render its decision promptly, but in no more than ten (10) calendar days. If the student so wishes and if the issue properly falls within his/her jurisdiction, the grievance may be appealed to the commissioner of education.
The Superintendent of Schools shall direct all staff members to respect the right of students to press a grievance through proper channels and according to established procedures without fear of reprisal.
Adopted: No Date
NJSBA Review/Update: November 2009; December 2010
Readopted: October 24, 2011
Key Words
Grievances, Student Grievances
Legal References: N.J.S.A. 18A:11-1 General mandatory powers and duties
N.J.S.A. 18A:54-20 Powers of board (county vocational schools)
N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1 Code of student conduct
Possible
Cross References: 1251 Loitering or causing disturbance
*1312 Community complaints and inquiries
*5113 Absences and excuses
*5114 Suspension and expulsion
*5131 Conduct/discipline
5131.4 Campus disturbances
*5145.4 Equal educational opportunity
*Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual.