DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Board Policy
| Section K | School Community Relations | File: KL |
PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
Constructive criticism of the schools and school personnel will be considered by the Board when it is motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of the educational program orto equip the schools to do their tasks more effectively.
Whenever a complaint is made directly to the Board as a whole or to an individual Board member, the individual or group involved will be directed to take their concern to the appropriate staff member.
The Board believes that complaints and grievances are best handled and resolved as close to their origin as possible, and that the staff should be given every opportunity to consider the issues and attempt to resolve the problem prior to involvement by the Board. Therefore, the proper channeling of complaints involving personnel, instruction, discipline, or learning materials or progress including Federal Regulations, will be as follows:
- Teacher or employee
- Principal
- Superintendent
- Board
Matters referred to the superintendent and/or Board must be in writing and should be specific in terms of the action desired.
If a complaint, which was presented to the Board and referred back through the proper channels, is adjusted before it comes back to the Board, a report of the disposition of the matter will be made to the Board and then placed in the official files. If no apparent resolution may be found after having been through proper channeling, the complainant may request an executive session before the board. Executive session will be conducted as per Douglas Board Policy BDC.
The Board expects the professional staff to receive complaints courteously and to make a proper reply to the complainant.
The Board places trust in its employees and desires that employees are freed from excessive, spiteful, or negative criticism and complaints. The Board expects the community to make complaints in such a way that does not substantially disrupt the learning environment as per SDCL 13-32-6. Violation of this statute is a Class 2 misdemeanor and punishable by law.
Complaints of Harassment and/or Discrimination will be governed by procedures found in Douglas Board Policy ACAA-R.
School employees who are sued as a consequence of performing their assigned duties will be provided legal services in accordance with state law.
Exceptions to this policy will be made when the complaints concern Board actions or Board operations only.
Anonymous letters and phone calls will not be given serious consideration.
References
SDCL 13-17-39
SDCL 13-32-6
Board Policy ACAA-E
Board Policy BDC
Adoption History
First Reading 01/09/89
Approved 01/30/89
First Reading — Revision 05/08/05
Approved 05/22/06
First Reading – Revision 03/10/08
Approved 03/25/08
