Official Nondiscrimination Statement — Grant Parish Public Schools
The Grant Parish School Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, or veteran status in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities, including any notices required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 or Part 106 of Title 34 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations.
Nondiscrimination and Civil Rights Coordinators
Required by 34 CFR §§ 100.6, 104.8, 106.8, and 28 CFR § 35.107(a).
Title IX Coordinator
Michael Dubois
Supervisor of Elementary Education
PO Box 208 / 512 Main Street
Colfax, Louisiana 71417
(318) 627-3274, ext. 1127
mdubois@gpsb.org
Section 504 / Disability Coordinator
Denise Young
Supervisor of Special Education
PO Box 208 / 512 Main Street
Colfax, Louisiana 71417
(318) 627-3274, ext. 1125
dyoung@gpsb.org
ADA / Title VI Coordinator
Melissa Steelman
HR Director
PO Box 208 / 512 Main Street
Colfax, Louisiana 71417
(318) 627-3274, ext. 1103
msteelman@gpsb.org
How to File a Complaint
Authority: 34 CFR § 106.45, 34 CFR § 104.7, and 28 CFR § 35.107(b).
Any student, parent, employee, or member of the public who believes they have been subjected to discrimination in violation of the district’s nondiscrimination policy may file a complaint with the appropriate coordinator listed above. Complaints are investigated promptly and equitably.
Sexual Harassment Complaints
Complaints involving sexual harassment are handled under the district’s formal Title IX Grievance Procedure. A plain-language summary of that process is provided below. The full adopted procedure is available for download.
Initial Report & Contact
Contact the Title IX Coordinator by phone, email, mail, or in person at any time. Any Grant Parish School Board employee with knowledge of sexual harassment is required to report it to the Title IX Coordinator.
Response & Supportive Measures
The Title IX Coordinator will contact the complainant within 24 hours of receiving a report to discuss available options, including supportive measures. Supportive measures are available with or without filing a formal complaint.
Notice of Formal Complaint
If a formal complaint is filed, the Title IX Coordinator will send written notice to all known parties containing the allegations, a copy of the grievance procedures, and information about the informal resolution process and appeals.
Objective Investigation
An Investigator who is not the Decision-Maker will conduct an objective investigation within 10 working days of initiation. Both parties have equal opportunity to present evidence and witnesses.
Written Determination
The Decision-Maker who is not the Title IX Coordinator or Investigator will issue a written determination regarding responsibility within 10 working days of the close of the question-and-answer period.
Appeal Process
Either party may appeal the determination within 7 calendar days to the Superintendent of Schools on grounds of procedural irregularity, new evidence, or conflict of interest.
Retaliation is strictly prohibited. No person may intimidate, threaten, or discriminate against any individual for making a report, filing a complaint, or participating in an investigation under this procedure.
Read Full Grievance ProcedureSection 504 / ADA / Title VI Complaints
Complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of disability or national origin should be directed to the appropriate coordinator listed above. The district will investigate and respond to all complaints promptly and equitably. For disability-related complaints, additional information on the grievance procedure is available on our Accessibility Statement page.
File a Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights
Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. Filing with the district does not prevent you from also filing with OCR.
U.S. Department of Education — Office for Civil Rights
Online: ocrcas.ed.gov
Phone: 1-800-421-3481
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Employee Sexual Harassment
Required by 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. and La. R.S. 42:343(D).
Policy Statement
It is the policy of the Grant Parish School Board to provide an employment environment that is free from unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or communications deemed to constitute sexual harassment under federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines. The Grant Parish School Board shall not tolerate sexual harassment by any student, employee, non-employee volunteer, or School Board member toward any individual.
Because Grant Parish School Board takes allegations of sexual harassment seriously, the School Board shall respond promptly to complaints of sexual harassment and where it is determined that such inappropriate conduct has occurred, the School Board will act promptly to eliminate the conduct and impose such corrective action as is necessary, including disciplinary action where appropriate.
All managerial and supervisory personnel shall be responsible for enforcing the Grant Parish School Board’s sexual harassment policy. Failure to enforce this policy in a prompt and strict manner may subject such personnel to disciplinary action.
The School Board shall respect the confidentiality of the complainant and the individual or individuals against whom the complaint is filed as much as possible, consistent with legal obligations and the necessity to investigate and take corrective or disciplinary action.
How to Report Employee Sexual Harassment
Any person who believes they have been the victim of sexual harassment by an employee or non-employee volunteer of the Grant Parish School Board should report the alleged acts immediately to:
Initial Report & Contact
Report to the employee’s immediate supervisor, who will submit it to the Superintendent or designee. If the alleged acts were committed by the immediate supervisor, report directly to the Superintendent or designee. If criminal activity is involved, also report to local law enforcement.
Investigation
Upon receipt of a complaint, an investigation will be conducted by personnel designated by the Superintendent utilizing the procedures outlined in board policy GAMC. The investigation will include personal interviews with the complainant, the individual or individuals against whom the complaint is filed, and others who may have knowledge of the alleged incident or incidents.
Retaliation is strictly prohibited. No person may intimidate, threaten, or discriminate against any individual for making a report, filing a complaint, or participating in an investigation under this procedure.
Read Full Employee Sexual Harassment PolicyHow to Request an Accommodation
Students, parents, employees, or members of the public who need a reasonable accommodation to access district programs, services, or activities should contact the appropriate coordinator:
Section 504 / Disability Coordinator
Denise Young
Supervisor of Special Education
PO Box 208 / 512 Main Street
Colfax, Louisiana 71417
(318) 627-3274, ext. 1125
dyoung@gpsb.org
Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Web Accessibility Accommodations
If you need information from this website in an alternative format, contact the ADA Coordinator Melissa H. Steelman at (318) 627-3274, ext. 1103 or msteelman@gpsb.org. For full accessibility information, visit our Accessibility Statement.
Title IX Training Materials
Required by 34 CFR § 106.45(b)(10).
The following training video is used to train Grant Parish School Board’s Title IX Coordinator, Investigator, and Decision-Maker. This material is produced by the State of Louisiana and is publicly available.
Transcript
Speaker: Kenneth L. Marcus, former Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Section 1: Introduction
Hi, I’m Kenneth Marcus from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. This video is intended as an overview of how to file a sex discrimination report or formal complaint with a K-12 school or a postsecondary institution, such as a college or university.
The Office for Civil Rights enforces Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. That law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex by K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions receiving federal funds. Under Title IX, once a school has notice of sexual harassment or an allegation of sexual harassment, it must respond appropriately. The Title IX regulations set out clear standards for reporting, initiating a formal complaint, and due process procedures that provide prompt and equitable resolution.
Section 2: Definitions of Sexual Harassment
Under Title IX, sexual harassment in education programs and activities is defined in several ways:
- Hostile Environment: Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would consider so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to an education program or activity.
- Quid Pro Quo: When a school employee conditions an aid, benefit, or service on a student’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.
- Serious Crimes: Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking. These are subject to both school disciplinary procedures and state criminal laws involving local law enforcement. Reporting under Title IX is separate and distinct from reporting crimes to law enforcement or obligations under the Clery Act.
Section 3: How to Report
Reporting harassment to your school’s Title IX Coordinator is always sufficient to put a school on notice. Every school receiving federal funding must have a designated Title IX coordinator. Their contact information, including where they can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, must be prominently displayed on the school’s website and included in student handbooks.
Section 4: Who May Be Told
In Postsecondary Schools: Individuals can report to the Title IX Coordinator or anyone with authority to institute corrective measures. Schools may designate confidential resources who can discuss incidents without automatically triggering an official report.
In K-12 Schools: The scope is even broader. Anyone may report to any school employee, regardless of their job description. This includes teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, or maintenance staff.
Section 5: Supportive Measures
When a school learns of alleged sexual harassment, it must promptly contact the complainant to discuss and offer supportive measures. These are free, non-disciplinary services designed to restore or preserve equal access to education. Examples include:
- Counseling and course-related adjustments.
- Modifications of class schedules or campus escort services.
- Mutual restrictions on contact or no-contact orders.
- Leaves of absence or increased security monitoring.
Section 6: The Formal Complaint and Grievance Process
A Formal Complaint is a document filed by a complainant or parent or guardian, or signed by the Title IX Coordinator, requesting an investigation. This triggers a formal grievance process, which includes:
- A presumption that the respondent is not responsible until a determination is made.
- Written notice of allegations to both parties.
- An investigation that allows both parties an equal opportunity to review evidence.
- Live Hearings: Required for postsecondary schools, but not for K-12 schools.
Section 7: Emergency Removal and Law Enforcement
A school may remove a respondent on an emergency basis if there is an immediate threat to physical health or safety. Additionally, a pending police investigation does not relieve a school of its duty to resolve a Title IX grievance promptly, though a temporary delay for good cause, such as concurrent law enforcement activity, is permitted with written notice.
Section 8: Additional Information
For more information, visit www.ed.gov/ocr.
Questions can be emailed to: T9questions@ed.gov
To file a civil rights complaint online, contact: ocr@ed.gov
OCR Short Webinar on How to Report Sexual Harassment under Title IX — produced by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
Training Requirements
All Title IX Coordinators, Investigators, Decision-Makers, and persons who facilitate informal resolution processes receive training on:
- The definition of sexual harassment as defined in the district’s grievance procedure
- The scope of the district’s education program or activity
- How to conduct an investigation and grievance process including interviews, appeals, and informal resolution
- How to serve impartially, avoiding prejudgment, conflicts of interest, and bias
- Issues of relevance of questions and evidence, including when prior sexual behavior evidence is not relevant
All training materials used by Grant Parish School Board do not rely on sex stereotypes and promote impartial investigations and adjudications of formal complaints, as required by 34 CFR § 106.45(b)(10).