102 - Equal Educational Opportunity

It is the goal of the board to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in the students enrolled in the school district. Each student attending school will have the opportunity to use its education program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual growth. In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that assures each student the same educational opportunity.

The Maquoketa Valley Community School District does not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. The belief in equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to school district facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Troy Osterhaus, Maquoketa Valley Community School District, Delhi, Iowa 52223; or by telephoning 563-599-2091.

Board policies, rules and regulations affect students while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while on school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles; while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.

The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.

Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, are directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Troy Osterhaus, Maquoketa Valley Community School District, Delhi, Iowa 52223; or by telephoning 563-599-2091.

Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of the Region VII office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37^th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60604 (312) 730-1560, fax (312) 730-1576 OCR.Chicago@ed.gov, the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner, https://icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121 or the Iowa Dept. of Education, Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319. (515) 281-5294. This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.

Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1221 et seq.

20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.

20 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq.

29 U.S.C. § 206 et seq.

29 U.S.C. § 794

42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d and 2000e.

42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq.

34 C.F.R. Pt. 100.

34 C.F.R. Pt. 104.

Iowa Code §§ 216.6; 216.9; 256.11; 280.3.

281 I.A.C. 12.

Cross Reference: 101 Educational Philosophy of the School District

401.1 Equal Employment Opportunity

500 Objectives for Equal Educational Opportunities for Students

506.1 Student Records

Approved 1/2020 Reviewed 03/24/2025 Revised 03/24/2025

dawn.gibson.cm… Mon, 10/30/2023 - 08:57

102.E1 - Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Maquoketa Valley Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Applied Science, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing

Business, Finance, Marketing and Management

Health Sciences

Human Services

It is the policy of the Maquoketa Valley Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs) sexual orientation and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Troy Osterhaus, Maquoketa Valley Community School District, Delhi, Iowa 52223; or by telephoning 563-599-2091.

Approved 7/21/2025 Reviewed 7/21/25 Revised

susan.larson@f… Tue, 08/19/2025 - 14:55

102.E2 - Continuous Notice of Nondiscrimination

It is the policy of the Maquoketa Valley Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Troy Osterhaus, Maquoketa Valley Community School District, Delhi, Iowa 52223; or by telephoning 563-599-2091.

dawn.gibson.cm… Mon, 10/30/2023 - 08:59

102.E3 - Notice of Section 504 Student and Parental Rights

The Maquoketa Valley Community School District does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of a student's disability. It has been determined that your child has a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made to meet his or her individual needs as adequately as the needs of other students. As a parent, you have the right to the following:

Participation of your child in school district programs and activities, including extracurricular programs and activities, to the maximum extent appropriate, free of discrimination based upon the student's disability and at the same level as students without disabilities;
Receipt of free educational services to the extent they are provided students without disabilities:
Receipt of information about your child and your child's educational programs and activities in your native language;
Notice of identification of your child as having a qualifying disability for which accommodations may need to be made and notice prior to evaluation and placement of your child and right to periodically request a re-evaluation of your child;
Inspect and review your child's educational records including a right to copy those records for a reasonable fee; you also have a right to ask the school district to amend your child's educational records if you feel the information in the records is misleading or inaccurate; should the school district refuse to amend the records, you have a right to a hearing and to place an explanatory letter in your child's file explaining why you feel the records are misleading or inaccurate; and
Hearing before an impartial hearing officer if you disagree with your child's evaluation or placement; you have a right to counsel at the hearing and have the decision of the impartial hearing officer reviewed.

It is the policy of the Maquoketa Valley Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Troy Osterhaus, Maquoketa Valley Community School District, Delhi, Iowa 52223; or by telephoning 563-599-2091.

dawn.gibson.cm… Mon, 10/30/2023 - 09:00

102.E4 - Discrimination Complaint Form

Date of complaint:	_____________________________________________________
Name of Complainant:	_____________________________________________________
Are you filling out this form for yourself or someone else (please identify the individual if you are submitting on behalf of someone else):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________
Who or what entity do you believe discriminated against, harassed, or bullied you (or someone else)?	_____________________________________________________
Date and place of alleged incident(s):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________
Names of any witnesses (if any):	_____________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

	Age		Race / Color
	Disability		Sex
	Religion / Creed
	Marital Status		Sexual Orientation
	National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry		Socio-economic Background

In the space below, please describe what happened and why you believe that you or someone else has been discriminated against, harassed, or bullied. Please be as specific as possible and attach additional pages if necessary.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________

dawn.gibson.cm… Mon, 10/30/2023 - 09:03

102.E5 - Witness Disclosure Form

Name of Witness:	_____________________________________________________
Date of interview:	_____________________________________________________
Date of initial complaint:	_____________________________________________________
Name of Complainant (include whether the Complainant is a student or employee):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Date and place of alleged incident(s):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

	Age		Race / Color
	Disability		Sex
	Religion / Creed
	Marital Status		Sexual Orientation
	National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry		Socio-economic Background

Description of incident witnessed: _________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Additional information: _________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________________________

dawn.gibson.cm… Mon, 10/30/2023 - 09:03

102.E6 - Disposition of Complaint Form

Date:	_____________________________________________________
Date of initial complaint:	_____________________________________________________
Name of Complainant (include whether the Complainant is a student or employee):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Date and place of alleged incident(s):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________
Name of Respondent (include whether the Respondent is a student or employee):	_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Nature of discrimination, harassment, or bullying alleged (check all that apply):

	Age		Race / Color
	Disability		Sex
	Religion / Creed
	Marital Status		Sexual Orientation
	National Origin/Ethnic Background/Ancestry		Socio-economic Background

Summary of Investigation: _______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

I agree that all of the information on this form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge.

Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _________________________

dawn.gibson.cm… Mon, 10/30/2023 - 09:06

102.R1 - Grievance Procedure

Within 60 working days, the equity coordinator shall complete the investigation and issue a report with respect to the findings.

The equity coordinator shall notify the Complainant and Respondent of the decision within 5 working days of completing the written report. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.

Decision and Appeal

The complaint is closed after the equity coordinator has issued the report, unless within 10 working days after receiving the decision, either party appeals the decision to the superintendent by making a written request detailing why he/she believes the decision should be reconsidered. The equity coordinator shall promptly forward all materials relative to the complaint and appeal to the superintendent. Within 30 working days, the superintendent shall affirm, reverse, amend the decision, or direct the equity coordinator to gather additional information. The superintendent shall notify the Complainant, Respondent, and the equity coordinator of the decision within 5 working days of the decision. Notification shall be by U.S. mail, first class.

The decision of the superintendent shall be final.

The decision of the superintendent in no way prejudices a party from seeking redress through state or federal agencies as provided by law.

This policy and procedures are to be used for complaints of discrimination, in lieu of any other general complaint policies or procedures that may be available.

If any of the stated time frames cannot be met by the district, the district will notify the parties and pursue completion as promptly as possible.

Retaliation against any person, because the person has filed a complaint or assisted or participated in an investigation, is prohibited. Persons found to have engaged in retaliation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures.

dawn.gibson.cm… Mon, 10/30/2023 - 09:14