Civil Rights
The Office of Opportunity, Access & Equity oversees a wide array of important functions for the school district. These include oversight to ensure that civil rights are protected and that the district's Discrimination and Harassment Policy is properly implemented. Information on these two areas is contained on this webpage.
For more information on any of these areas, you may confidentially contact André Morgan at 978-921-6100, ext 21745.
Civil Rights
For more information on any of these areas, you may confidentially contact André Morgan at 978-921-6100, ext 21745.
Civil Rights
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Education that is focused on enforcing civil rights laws prohibiting schools from engaging in discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or membership in patriotic youth organizations.
No student will be denied the opportunity to attend class or participate in extra-curricular activities because of his/her race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age and/or disability. No student who has AIDS, who is pregnant or who is married can be excluded from attending courses or participating in extra-curricular activities.
Students who believe that, in the enforcement of discipline codes, their civil rights have been breached, that they have been discriminated against because of unjustifiable bias (e.g. racial, ethnic, religious or sexual discrimination), that they have been subject to racial, physical or sexual harassment, or that they have been physically or sexually abused may file a grievance with the Superintendent of Schools or her designee.
No student will be denied the opportunity to attend class or participate in extra-curricular activities because of his/her race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age and/or disability. No student who has AIDS, who is pregnant or who is married can be excluded from attending courses or participating in extra-curricular activities.
Students who believe that, in the enforcement of discipline codes, their civil rights have been breached, that they have been discriminated against because of unjustifiable bias (e.g. racial, ethnic, religious or sexual discrimination), that they have been subject to racial, physical or sexual harassment, or that they have been physically or sexually abused may file a grievance with the Superintendent of Schools or her designee.
Title VI
Title VI, 42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq., was enacted as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal assistance, Title VI state:
"No Person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
Title IX
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) enforces, along with other statutes, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states:
"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
Civil Rights Training for Employees
Annual training regarding civil rights is mandated by the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education for all employees. This training protects individuals and the District and ensures that all employees know their rights and responsibilities. All employees are required to participate, and this requirement can be satisfied by annually reviewing the Civil Rights Training presentation.
District Equity Coordinators
District Equity Coordinators have been trained to support staff and students with issues of discrimination, harassment and bullying, as well as investigate and remediate complaints of bullying and harassment. If you have questions or concerns regarding the district's Discrimination/Harassment & Bullying Policies, or would like to report an incident of discrimination, harassment and/or bullying please contact an Equity Coordinator at your school.