Policies » Section A: Foundations & Basic Commitments » AC: Non-Discrimination Policy

Policy Date: 03/07/2024

CSD File: AC
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Candia School District in accordance with the requirements of federal and state laws, and of
regulations which implement those laws declares that the school district shall not discriminate in
its education programs, activities or employment practices on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, sex, gender identity, creed, marital, familial or
economic status, physical or mental disability or disability under the provisions of Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendment
of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the IDEA of 1990, or any other
classes protected under RSA 354-A. Any person having inquiries concerning the school district’s
compliance with the regulations implementing these laws may contact the office of the
Superintendent of Schools.

The person designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies for the Candia
School District is:

Director of Human Resources
Candia School District, SAU #15
90 Farmer Road
Hooksett, NH 03106-2125
(603) 622-3731

Inquiries regarding the application of nondiscrimination policies may also be referred to the US
Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 33 Arch Street, Ninth Floor, Boston, MA 02110.

Complaint and Reporting Procedures.

Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against, harassed, or bullied in
violation of this policy by any student, employee, or other person under the supervision and
control of the school system, or any third person who knows or suspects conduct that may
constitute discrimination, harassment, or bullying, should contact the District Human Rights
Officer, or otherwise as provided in the policies referenced below under this same heading.

Any employee who has witnessed, or who has reliable information that another person may have
been subjected to discrimination, harassment, or bullying in violation of this policy has a duty to
report such conduct to his/her immediate supervisor, the District Human Rights Officer, or as
provided in one of the policies or administrative procedures referenced below under this same
heading. Additionally, employees who observe an incident of harassment or bullying are
expected to intervene to stop the conduct in situations in which they have supervisory control
over the perpetrator and it is safe to do so. If an employee knows of an incident involving
discrimination, harassment, or bullying and the employee fails to report the conduct or take
proper action or knowingly provides false information in regard to the incident, the employee will
be subject to disciplinary action up to, and including, dismissal.

Investigations and resolution of any complaints shall be according to the policies listed below and
related administrative procedures or regulations. Complaints or reports regarding matters not
covered in one or the other of those policies should be made to the District Human Rights
Officer.

1. Reports or complaints of sexual harassment or sexual violence by employees or third
party contractors should be made under Board policy GBAA.

2. Reports or complaints of sexual harassment or sexual violence by students should be
made under Board policy JBAA.

3. Reports or complaints of discrimination on the basis of disability should be made under
Board policy AC, except for complaints regarding facilities accessibility by disabled non-students
or employees, which should be made under Board policy KED; and

4. Reports or complaints of bullying or other harassment of pupils should be made under
Board policy JICK.

Alternative Complaint Procedures and Legal Remedies.

At any time, whether or not an individual files a complaint or report under this Policy, an
individual may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”), of the United States
Department of Education, or with the New Hampshire Commissioner for Human Rights.

1. Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor,
Boston, MA 02109-3921; Telephone number: (617) 289-0111; Fax number: (617) 289-
0150; Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov
Note: Complaints to OCR must be filed in writing no later than 180 days after the
alleged act(s) of discrimination. OCR may waive its 180 day time limit based on OCR
policies and procedures.

2. New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, 2 Industrial Park Drive, Concord, NH
03301; Telephone number: (603) 271-2767; Email: humanrights@nh.gov
Notwithstanding any other remedy, any person may contact the police or pursue a criminal
prosecution under state or federal criminal law.

Retaliation Prohibited.

No reprisals or retaliation of any kind will be taken by the Board or by any District employee
against the complainant or other individual on account of his or her filing a complaint or report or
participating in an investigation of a complaint or report filed and decided pursuant to this policy,
unless that person knew the complaint or report was false or knowingly provided false
information.

Staff Assigned Roles

Human Rights Officer-Human Resource Director
Title IX Coordinator- Director of Human Resources
504 Coordinator-School Counselor

This policy will be reviewed every two years.

Legal Reference:
RSA 354-A:7, Unlawful Discrimination Practices
RSA 354-A:6, Opportunity for Employment without Discrimination a Civil Right

Adopted: November 8, 1989
Revised: September 10, 1992
Re-Adopted: June 8, 1999
Revised: March 16, 2001
Re-Adopted: June 2, 2005
Revised: January 3, 2019, November 7, 2019, June 4, 2020
Reviewed: June 3, 2021, May 5, 2022, May 4, 2023
Revised: November 2, 2023, March 7, 2024