The Equity Handbook

This Equity Handbook is designed to guide you through the process of filing a complaint of discrimination and harassment. This grievance procedure is for students and employees to utilize in seeking resolution to alleged discrimination and sexual harassment complaints with the Polk County School District. This publication meets the requirements of the Florida Educational Equity Act, Section 100.05, Florida Statutes, and the State Board of Education Rules, 6A-19.001 – 6A-19.010, Title IX, the ADA, and Section 504. This plan can also be accessed on the Polk County Schools’ website at www.polkschoolsfl.com. This publication is made available in English and Spanish and online or in your school or district department.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies, reports of alleged violations, concerns about compliance and the grievance procedure(s), etc.:

Nondiscrimination Statement

The School Board of Polk County, Florida, prohibits any and all forms of discrimination and harassment. It is the policy of Polk County Public Schools to not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, pregnancy, age, homelessness, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, genetic information, or other legally protected classification in its educational programs or services. 

The District also provides equal access to its facilities to the Boy Scouts and other Title 34 patriotic youth groups, as required by the Boys Scout of America Equal Access Act (34 C.F.R. 108.9). This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and extracurricular school activities.

Office of Equity & Compliance Equity & Diversity Management
1915 South Floral Avenue
Bartow, Florida 33830
Telephone: (863) 534-0513 or (863) 519-3670
Fax: (863) 534-0737

Introduction to Equity and the Equity Handbook

The School Board has established policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment of students and employees by another student, employee or anyone doing business with the school district. 

Policy on Discrimination

Policy 1122 Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity The School Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status, or gender identity), disability (including HIV, AIDS, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, marital status, age (except as authorized by law), religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information, which are classes protected by State and/or Federal law (collectively, "protected classes") in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.

It is the legal obligation and the policy of the Board to employ only those persons who are best qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations.

The Superintendent shall appoint Compliance Officer(s) whose responsibility will be to require that Federal and State regulations are complied with and that any complaints are dealt with promptly in accordance with the law. The Superintendent shall also require that proper notice of nondiscrimination for Title II, Title VI, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act will be provided to staff members and the general public.

Any sections of the District's collectively bargained agreements dealing with hiring, promotion, and tenure will contain a statement of nondiscrimination similar to that in the Board's statement above.

Equity & Diversity Management Department

The following persons are designated as the Compliance Officer(s) (COs):

The name(s), title(s), and contact information of this/these individual(s) will be published annually on the School District's web site.

Any employee or applicant for employment who believes he or she has been discriminated against or has been harassed by another employee, student, or other third party is encouraged to use the Educational Equity Complaint Procedure or may complain directly to the building Principal or the Compliance Officer. Although certain cases may require additional time, the Compliance Analyst will attempt to complete an investigation into allegations of discrimination within forty-five (45) calendar days of receiving the formal complaint.

Equity Contacts

Definitions

Informal / Formal Complaint Process