Non-discrimination

West Central Area School District, ISD 2342, does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status in admission, access to, treatment in, or employment in its services, programs, and activities. This commitment applies to students, parents, employees, applicants for employment, vendors, and members of the public.

Protected statuses

The district prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of:

• Race, color, creed, religion, national origin
• Sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation (including gender identity and expression)
• Marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status
• Disability
• Age (with respect to employment)
• Membership or activity in a local human rights commission
• Any other class protected by federal or Minnesota law

Laws we follow

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, color, national origin)
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (employment)
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex)
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (disability)
• Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and Age Discrimination in Employment Act
• Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act
• Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minn. Stat. Ch. 363A
• Minn. Stat. § 121A.04 (athletic equity in public schools)

The district has designated coordinators responsible for compliance under each major statute. You may contact them directly for questions, requests for accommodation, or to report a concern.

Title IX Coordinator (sex-based discrimination and harassment)

Superintendent
c/o Office of the Superintendent
301 County Road #2, Barrett, MN 56311
Phone: 320 · 528 · 7400

Section 504 / ADA Coordinator (disability)

Superintendent
c/o Office of the Superintendent
301 County Road #2, Barrett, MN 56311
Phone: 320 · 528 · 7400Equal Employment Opportunity Officer

If you believe you, your student, or someone else has experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, please report it. The district is required to investigate and act.

1. Tell someone in the building. A teacher, counselor, principal, or any trusted staff member can take a report and forward it to the appropriate coordinator. You do not need to know which coordinator handles your specific concern.
2. Or contact a coordinator directly using the addresses above. Reports may be made in writing, in person, by phone, or by email.
3. What happens next. The coordinator (or a designee with no conflict of interest) acknowledges the report within five business days and begins a prompt, impartial investigation. Both the person reporting and the person reported have the right to be heard, to bring a support person to meetings, and to receive a written outcome.
4. Anti-retaliation. Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith or who participates in an investigation is itself a violation of district policy and federal law. Report retaliation the same way you would report the underlying concern.

For incidents involving harassment, violence, or bullying, see also district Policy 413 (Harassment and Violence) and Policy 514 (Bullying Prohibition) at /policies.

You may file a complaint with an external agency at any time, with or without using the district's internal complaint procedure. Each agency has its own timeline for filing; consult the agency's website for current requirements.

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

Race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age (in education).
OCR Chicago Office (serves Minnesota): 230 South Dearborn Street, Suite 3008, Chicago IL 60604
Phone: 312-730-1560 · Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov
File a complaint online

Minnesota Department of Human Rights

All Minnesota Human Rights Act protected classes (employment, education, public services).
540 Fairview Avenue North, Suite 201, Saint Paul MN 55104
Phone: 651-539-1100 or 1-800-657-3704
mn.gov/mdhr

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Employment discrimination (Title VII, ADA, ADEA, GINA).
Minneapolis Area Office, 330 South Second Avenue, Suite 720, Minneapolis MN 55401
Phone: 1-800-669-4000
eeoc.gov

The school board has adopted the following policies that implement and detail this non-discrimination commitment. Full PDF text is available on the district policies page.

• Policy 401 · Equal Employment Opportunity
• Policy 413 · Harassment and Violence Policy
• Policy 514 · Bullying Prohibition Policy
• Policy 515 · Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records
• Policy 521 · Student Disability Nondiscrimination
• Policy 522 · Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination
• Policy 528 · Student Parental, Family, and Marital Status Nondiscrimination