Bullying, Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation

Complaints concerning bullying or retaliation related to bullying shall be submitted in accordance with FFI.

Complaints concerning retaliation related to discrimination and harassment shall be submitted in accordance with the FFH series.

Concerns involving bullying, harassment, or retaliation must follow the required investigation process under FFI or FFH before proceeding under Board Policy FNG. If such a complaint is filed under FNG, the process will be paused while the appropriate investigation is completed.  

If your concern involves bullying, harassment, or retaliation, please follow these steps:

1. Review the District’s bullying and harassment policies.
2. Report the concern at the campus level so the required investigation can begin.
3. Submit the concern under:
   1. FFI for bullying or retaliation related to bullying, OR
   2. FFH for discrimination, harassment, or related retaliation.
4. After the investigation is completed, you may choose to proceed with or withdraw any related FNG complaint.

The FNG grievance process cannot proceed until the required investigation under FFI or FFH is complete.

FNG(LOCAL)

Reporting:

Bullying or Harassment Incident Form (must be submitted to the classroom teacher or campus administrator).

• Incident Report Form - English (PDF)
• Incident Report Form - Spanish (PDF)

Board Policies:

• Student Welfare: Freedom From Bullying | FFI Legal | FFI Local
• Student Welfare: Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation | FFH Legal | FFH Local

Title IX 

Concerns regarding a complaint alleging prohibited conduct is misfiled under Board Policy FNG, the district will abate the FNG grievance process and address the prohibited conduct allegations first through FFH or FFI, as appropriate.  After receiving findings of prohibited conduct, the complainant may choose to reinstate or withdraw their previously filed FNG complaint.  

Every report of sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation must first be reviewed by the campus Title IX Coordinator or the District Title IX Office. This ensures that all concerns are addressed promptly, fairly, and in accordance with federal and district guidelines.

Reporting:

Title IX Complaint or Concern Form (may be submitted to the campus Title IX Coordinator or the District Title IX Office).

• Student Title IX Reporting Form
• Staff Title IX Reporting Form (GISD email address and password are required)

Board Policies:

• Student Welfare: Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation | FFH Legal | FFH Local
• Employee Welfare: Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation | DIA Legal | DIA Local 

Concerns about a student not receiving credit or a final grade due to attendance must be addressed under Board Policy FEC first. These concerns may only be appealed through Board Policy FNG after the FEC process has been completed.

If your complaint involves credit or a final grade based on attendance, please follow these steps:

1. Start with Board Policy FEC to address the attendance credit decision.
2. Complete the FEC process at the campus level.
3. If you still disagree, you may then appeal the decision using the procedures in Board Policy FNG.

Board Policies:

FEC Legal | FEC Local 

Concerns about changing a final grade fall under board policy EIA ( Local).  If a student wishes to challenge the final grade assigned to the student by the teacher, the student may file an appeal of the grade.  An examination or course grade issued by a classroom teacher is final and may not be changed unless the grade is arbitrary, erroneous, or not consistent with the district grading policy applicable to the grade, as determined by the board.   A determination by the board is not subject to appeal.  

Board Policies:

EIA Legal | EIA Local 

Campus-Level Discipline Appeals (Detention, ISS, OSS)

If you disagree with your child’s campus-level discipline decision (e.g., detention, in-school suspension, or out-of-school suspension), you may submit a written Level One Appeal to the campus principal within 5 days of receiving notice of the decision.

The principal will:

• Hold a hearing within 10 days, and
• Provide a written decision within 10 days after the hearing that either:
  • Maintains the decision,
  • Reinstates the student, or
  • Outlines any other appropriate action.

The principal’s decision is final and not subject to further appeal.

District-Level Appeals: DAEP Placement

If you disagree with your child’s placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP), you have the right to appeal through the following process:

Level One: Campus Principal

Submit a written Level One Appeal within 15 days of receiving the placement notice.

The principal will:

• Hold a hearing within 10 days, and
• Provide a written decision within 10 days after the hearing that either:
  • Maintains the placement,
  • Reinstates the student, or
  • Outlines any other appropriate action.

Level Two: Student Services

If you disagree with the Level One decision, submit a written appeal within 10 days of receiving the decision.

Student Services will:

• Hold a hearing within 10 days, and
• Provide a written decision within 10 days after the hearing that either:
  • Maintains the placement,
  • Reinstates the student, or
  • Outlines any other appropriate action.

The Level Two decision is final and not subject to further appeal.

District-Level Appeals: Expulsion (JJAEP Placement)

Expulsion recommendations are conducted at the campus level in accordance with FOD (LEGAL) Student Discipline: Expulsion.
If you disagree with your child’s expulsion placement (JJAEP), you may appeal through the following process:

Level One: Campus Principal

Submit a written Level One Appeal within 5 days of receiving the placement notice.

The principal will:

Hold a hearing within 10 days, and

Provide a written decision within 10 days after the hearing that either:

Maintains the placement,

Reinstates the student, or

Outlines any other appropriate action.

Level Two: Student Services

If you disagree with the Level One decision, submit a written appeal within 5 days of receiving the decision.

Student Services will:

• Hold a hearing within 10 days, and
• Provide a written decision within 10 days after the hearing that either:
  • Maintains the placement,
  • Reinstates the student, or
  • Outlines any other appropriate action.

Level Three: Board Appeal

If you disagree with the Level Two decision, you may appeal to the Board within 5 days of receiving the decision.

The Board will:

• Schedule the appeal for an upcoming meeting, and
• Issue a final written decision after the hearing.

Board Policies:

FO Legal | FO Local

FOC Legal

FOD Legal

FNG Local

If a student violates the Extracurricular Code of Conduct, appeals may be made through Level Two. Level One is the Campus (Coach, Principal), and Level Two is the District (Athletics, UIL, Choir).

Level One: Campus

Coach/Sponsor

Examples of possible actions:

• Conference with student and/or parent
• Suspension from activity
• Dismissal from activity
• Other appropriate action (e.g., community service)

Principal

Appeals must be submitted in writing within 5 days.

Possible outcomes:

• Accept the appeal and reduce action
• Deny the appeal
• Increase the action
• Assign another appropriate action

Level Two: District Appeals

Only appeals for a permanent removal from the extracurricular activity may reach this level. Permanent removal includes removal for the remainder of the season or longer.

Appeals must be submitted in writing within 5 days.

Possible outcomes:

• Accept the appeal and reduce the action
• Deny the appeal
• Increase the action
• Assign another appropriate action

Complaints concerning any final decisions of the gifted and talented selection committee regarding selection for or exit from the gifted program shall be submitted in accordance with EHBB.  These concerns may only be appealed through Board Policy FNG after the EHBB complaint process has been completed.

Board Policies:

BB Local

Concerns about intradistrict transfers or classroom assignments shall be submitted in accordance with FDB before filing through FNG.  

Board Policies:

FDB Local

Complaints within the scope of Section 504, including complaints concerning identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student with a disability, shall be submitted in accordance with FB and the procedural safeguards handbook before going through the FNG Formal Complaint Process.  

• Notice of Procedural Safeguards  
• Legal Notices: Section 504

Board Policies:

FB Local

Complaints within the scope of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, including complaints concerning identification, evaluation, educational placement, or discipline of a student with a disability, shall be submitted in accordance with EHBAE, FOF, and the procedural safeguards handbook provided to parents of all students referred to special education before going through the FNG process.  

• Notice of Procedural Safeguards  

Board Policies:

EHBAE Local

FOF Local

Concerns about instructional materials used in the classroom must first follow the District’s instructional material reconsideration process before using the grievance procedures under Board Policy FNG. This process allows the District to review concerns about books, lessons, or other instructional resources used in the educational program.

If your concern involves instructional materials, please follow these steps:

1. Start with the campus administrator:
   Share your concern with the campus principal or appropriate administrator. The campus will attempt to resolve the concern informally by explaining how the material was selected and its educational purpose.
2. Alternative option for your child:
   If appropriate, the campus may offer an alternative instructional material for your child while the concern is being addressed.
3. Submit a formal reconsideration request:
   If the concern is not resolved informally, you may complete the District’s Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Material form and submit it to the District curriculum administrator.
4. Review by a reconsideration committee:
   A District committee will review the material in its entirety and determine whether the instructional material aligns with the District’s instructional selection standards.
5. Written decision:
   The committee will provide a written report of its findings to District administration and the complainant.
6. If you diagree with the decision:
   You may appeal the decision using the appropriate complaint process under Board Policy FNG, DGBA, or GF, depending on the complainant.

Board Policies: 

EFA Local 

Concerns related to student admission, age eligibility, residency, enrollment requirements, or grade placement must be addressed through Board Policy FD (Local) (Admissions)  before submitting a complaint under Board Policy FNG. These matters must first be reviewed and resolved at the campus or administrative level in accordance with District enrollment policies and applicable law.

If your concern involves student admission or enrollment, please follow these steps:

1. Age eligibility:
   Students must meet age requirements for enrollment. The District does not admit students who are underage or age 21 or older, unless required by law
2. Registration and residency requirements:
   Complete all required registration forms and provide acceptable proof of residency as part of the enrollment process. The District may make reasonable inquiries to verify residency and may grant exceptions when required by law or based on individual circumstances.
3. Students living apart from a parent or guardian:
   Submit the required power of attorney or authorization agreement assigning responsibility for school-related matters, unless an exception is granted by the Superintendent.
4. Grade placement and transfer of credit:
   Grade placement and acceptance of credits are determined by the campus principal based on prior schooling, records, assessments, and applicable criteria.

If you disagree with the enrollment or placement decision:   After completing the applicable enrollment or registration process, you may appeal the decision using the procedures outlined in Board Policy FNG.

Before submitting a formal complaint, parents and guardians are encouraged to work with campus staff to ensure all enrollment documentation, residency verification, and required reviews have been completed.

Board Policies:

FD Local 

Complaints concerning admission, placement, or services provided for a homeless student shall be submitted in accordance with Board Policy FDC.

Concerns involving students who are homeless must first follow the District’s homeless student support and dispute resolution process before using the general grievance process in Board Policy FNG. These matters are handled under the District’s homeless education procedures to ensure timely enrollment, services, and stability for students.

If your concern involves eligibility, enrollment, school selection, transportation, or services for a student who is homeless, please follow these steps:

1. Work with the campus and District Homeless Liaison:
   Each campus works directly with the District’s designated Homeless Liaison to support students experiencing homelessness and ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
2. Enrollment and school placement:
   Students who are homeless are enrolled immediately and are not stigmatized or segregated. The District generally presumes that remaining in the student’s school of origin is in the student’s best interest, unless otherwise requested by the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth.
3. Transportation and services:
   Transportation and required services are provided as required by law and are not considered when determining school placement.
4. If you disagree with an eligibility, enrollment, or school placement decision:
   You may file a complaint using Board Policy FNG, beginning at Level Two. The District will expedite timelines when possible to ensure prompt resolution.
5. During the dispute:
   The student will remain enrolled in the requested school, continue attending classes, receive services, and participate fully in school activities while the dispute is being resolved.

Throughout the complaint process, the District’s Homeless Liaison will assist and support the student, parent, or guardian.

Board Policies:

FDC Local  

Complaints concerning disputes regarding a student's eligibility for free or reduced -priced meal programs shall be submitted in accordance with Board Policy FOB.

Board Policies:

FDC Local  

A student or parent may initiate the formal process described below by timely filing a written complaint. Even after initiating the formal complaint process, students and parents are encouraged to seek an informal resolution of their concerns. A student or parent whose concerns are resolved may withdraw a formal complaint at any time. The process described in this policy shall not be construed to create new or additional rights beyond those granted by law or Board policy, nor to require a full evidentiary hearing or “mini-trial” at any level.

Board Policies:

FNG — Student Rights and Responsibilities: Student and Parent Complaints/Grievances