Title IX and Section 504

  • NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION And COMPLAINT PROCEDURE FOR TITLE IX AND SECTION 504

    The Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District (APWCSD) hereby advises applicants for admission and employment, students, parents, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission, employment, and the general public, that the APWCSD does not discriminate in its programs and activities and that it offers employment and educational opportunities without regard to age, gender, race, color, religion, marital status, sexual preference, national origin, disability or any other category of persons protected by federal or state law.

    Any person having inquiries concerning the APWCSD’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title IX is directed to contact one of the Title IX Officers listed below who has been designated by the APW Board of Education to coordinate the District’s efforts to comply with regulations implementing Title IX:

    Bethany Centrone, Esq., Title IX Officer, Capital Region BOCES
    900 Watervliet Shaker Road, Albany, New York 12205, Office 518-862-5228


    It is the responsibility of the APWCSD to identify and evaluate students with disabilities under Section 504 who, within the intent of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, need special services or programs in order that such students may receive the required free appropriate education. Each qualified student within the District who is eligible to receive regular or special education or related aids and services, regardless of the nature or severity of the condition necessitating such programs or services, shall receive a free appropriate education in the District.

    Any person having inquiries concerning the APWCSD’s compliance with the regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 is directed to contact:

    Amy St. Croix, Director of Special Education
    Section 504/ADA Compliance Coordinator
    APWCSD 639 County Route 22 · Parish, NY 13131
    315-625-5234

    PROCEDURES FOR FILING DISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT COMPLAINT:

    The following procedure is to be followed by any parent, student or employee who wishes to complain about the compliance of the APW School District and the provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the regulations of the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, or the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or related thereto:

    Step 1:

    Report your concern to a school principal or other District Administrator. The complaint shall be reduced to writing and submitted to the appropriate Title IX or Section 504/ADA officer (hereinafter “compliance officer”).

    Step 2:

    The compliance officer shall thoroughly investigate the complaint and obtain statements from all witnesses identified by both the complainant and the alleged perpetrator(s). Depending on the complexity of the matter, the investigation may take up to 30 calendar days. Within 10 business days of the conclusion of the investigation the compliance officer shall reach a conclusion about whether there was a violation(s) of the District’s Non-Discrimination policy and make recommendations for appropriate actions in a report to the Superintendent.

    The Superintendent will issue orders he/she may feel necessary to implement the findings and recommendations of the compliance officer (and/or make recommendations for policy changes to the Board of Education as the Superintendent may feel are warranted under the circumstances) within 10 business days of his/her receipt of the compliance officer’s report. The Superintendent’s orders will be communicated to the complainant and alleged perpetrator(s) at that time.

    Step 3:

    In the event that the complainant and/or the alleged perpetrators wish to appeal the orders of the Superintendent and/or the Board of Education, the individual may appeal the decision to the Superintendent or his/her designee. This appeal must be requested within 5 business days of the date on which the orders were issued. The Superintendent or his/her designee will schedule a meeting with the appealing party during which the appealing party will have the opportunity to present his/her argument for why the orders should be modified or overturned. This meeting will be scheduled within 10 business days of the receipt of the appeal request.

    The Superintendent or his/her designee shall render a decision on the appeal and communicate the results to the appealing party or parties with 10 business days. This decision shall be final.

    Appeals from actions taken by the Superintendent and the Board of Education shall be made pursuant to law.