Adopted: MSBA/MASA Model Policy 103
Revised: Rev.
2022
103 COMPLAINTS –
STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES, PARENTS, OTHER PERSONS
I. PURPOSE
The school district takes seriously all
concerns or complaints by students, employees, parents or other persons. If a specific complaint procedure is provided
within any other policy of the school district, the specific procedure shall be
followed in reference to such a complaint.
If a specific complaint procedure is not provided, the purpose of this
policy is to provide a procedure that may be used.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT
OF POLICY
A. Students, parents, employees, or other
persons may report concerns or complaints to the school district. While written reports are encouraged, a
complaint may be made orally. Any
employee receiving a complaint shall advise the principal or immediate
supervisor of the receipt of the complaint.
The supervisor shall make an initial determination as to the seriousness
of the complaint and whether the matter should be referred to the
superintendent. A person may file a
complaint at any level of the school district; i.e., principal, superintendent
or school board. However, persons are
encouraged to file a complaint at the building level when appropriate.
B. Depending upon the nature and seriousness
of the complaint, the supervisor or other administrator receiving the complaint
shall determine the nature and scope of the investigation or follow-up
procedures. If the complaint involves
serious allegations, the matter shall promptly be referred to the
superintendent, who shall determine whether an internal or external
investigation should be conducted. In
either case, the superintendent shall determine the nature and scope of the
investigation and designate the person responsible for investigation or follow-up
relating to the complaint. The
designated investigator shall ascertain details concerning the complaint and
respond promptly to the appropriate administrator concerning the status or
outcome of the matter.
C. The appropriate administrator shall
respond in writing to the complaining party concerning the outcome of the
investigation or follow up, including any appropriate action or corrective
measure that was taken. The
superintendent shall be copied on the correspondence and consulted in advance
of the written response when appropriate.
The response to the complaining party shall be consistent with the
rights of others pursuant to the applicable provisions of Minnesota Statutes
chapter 13 (Minnesota Government Data Practices Act) or other law.
Legal References: Minn. Stat. Ch. 13 (Minnesota Government Data Practices Act)
Cross References: MSBA/MASA Model Policy 206 (Public Participation in School Board
Meetings/Complaints about Persons at School Board Meetings and Data Privacy
Considerations)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 403 (Discipline,
Suspension, and Dismissal of School District Employees)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 413 (Harassment
and Violence)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 514 (Bullying
Prohibition)
MSBA School Law Bulletin “I” (School
Records – Privacy – Access to Data)