Special Services Grievance Procedure

ERPS Special Services Grievance Procedure

Section 504 - Grievance Procedure

The Eaton Rapids Public Schools has adopted the following Grievance Procedure for addressing
complaints of discrimination under Section 504. A person is not required to use this procedure and may instead file a complaint directly with the U.S Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights,

600 Superior Avenue East, Suite 750, Cleveland, OH 44114-2611:

Step 1: A person who believes that he/she has been discriminated against by the Eaton Rapids Public
Schools is encouraged, but is not required, to discuss the matter informally with the
appropriate building principal, in the case of a student, or his/her immediate supervisor, in the
case of an employee.

     A. If the building principal or the immediate supervisor is the subject of the complaint, or the grievant is not a student or employee, the grievant may, instead, contact the Eaton Rapids
Public Schools Section 504 Coordinator.
     B. The person receiving the complaint shall verbally convey his/her findings to both the
person who alleged the violation and the person who is the subject of the complaint within
10 business days.

Step 2: If the informal Step 1 process does not resolve the matter, or if the grievant does not wish to
use the informal procedures set forth in Step 1, a written complaint may be submitted to the
Eaton Rapids Public Schools Section 504 Coordinator who will investigate the complaint.
     A. If the Section 504 Coordinator is the subject of the complaint, the complaint should be
submitted to the Superintendent of Schools who will appoint another administrator to
conduct the investigation.
     B. The complaint shall be signed by the grievant and include the:
         (1) grievant's name and contact information;
         (2) facts of the incident or action complained about;
         (3) date of the incident or action giving rise to the complaint;
         (4) type of discrimination alleged to have occurred; and
         (5) specific relief sought.
         (6) Note: Witness names and other evidence as deemed appropriate by the grievant
may also be submitted.
     C. An investigation of the complaint will be conducted within 10 business days following the
submission of the written complaint. The investigation shall include an interview of the
parties and witnesses, a review of relevant evidence, and any other steps necessary to
ensure a prompt and thorough investigation of the complaint.
     D. A written disposition of the complaint shall be issued within 10 business days of
completion of the investigation, unless a specific written extension of time is provided to
the parties. Copies of the disposition will be given to both the grievant and the person
who is the subject of the complaint.

Step 3: If the grievant wishes to appeal the decision in Step 2 above, he/she may submit a signed,
written appeal to the Superintendent of Schools within 10 business days after receipt of the
written disposition. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall respond to the complaint, in
writing, within 10 business days of the date of the appeal. Copies of the response shall be
provided to both the grievant and the person who is the subject of the complaint.

The Eaton Rapids Public Schools provides assurance that it strictly prohibits any form of retaliation against persons who utilize this Grievance Procedure. Further, a grievant making a complaint is neither required to prosecute the matter nor confront the alleged discriminator or harasser when that would be inappropriate.

If you have questions regarding these procedures or want to file a complaint, please contact the Eaton Rapids Public Schools Section 504 Coordinator:

Christien J. Rupp, Director of Curriculum and Instructional Technology

Section 504 Coordinator
912 Greyhound Drive
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
Ph: (517) 663-8155
Fax:(517) 663-2236