**JII-R-1 - STUDENT COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES HEARING PROCEDURE** **Last Updated Date:** 05/27/2014 **Adoption Date:** 01/10/2006 Rights of a Student Nothing in these procedures shall be construed as limiting the rights of any student having a complaint to discuss the matter with an appropriate school administrator. No reprisals of any kind shall be taken by anyone against any student as a result of a complaint or appeal. Local School Level In implementing the policy statement at the local school level, the principal is responsible for: 1.         Ensuring that procedures for considering student problems and processing complaints and appeals are cooperatively developed by students, faculty, and school administrators. 2.         Determining that the procedures are precise and clearly stated and make provision for (a) guaranteeing each student due process; (b) submitting, in writing, an appeal and the explanation of issues involved to the appropriate individual or office; and (c) requiring that all parties involved be notified, in writing, of the decision within ten (10) school days of the date the appeal is received. 3.         Forwarding an information copy of the procedures to the superintendent. 4.         Making such procedures available to each student. 5.         Planning with the faculty, school administrators, and student council representatives to assure that each student has been informed of the appeal procedures. 6.         An annual review and revision, if appropriate, of the procedure at the local school level. Appeal of the Decision of the Principal If a student has attempted, without success, to have a problem resolved at the local school level and is not satisfied with the decision rendered, he/she may appeal the decision to the superintendent and the following steps are carried out: 1.         Submitting an Appeal Within ten (10) school days of the decision of the principal, the student requests, in writing, a review of the complaint and appeals the decision to the superintendent. The statement should include (a) all pertinent factual information; (b) the remedy requested; and (c) a request for a review of the complaint and the decision of the principal or an informal hearing before the superintendent. 2.         Review of an Appeal Upon receipt of a request for a review of a decision rendered by the principal, the superintendent acknowledges receipt of the request. The superintendent makes a decision based on the information submitted by the student, school administration and any additional information he/she has obtained. Within ten (10) school days of the date the appeal is received, the superintendent notifies the student and principal, in writing, of the decision concerning the appeal. 3.         Informal Hearing before the Superintendent Upon receipt of a request for a hearing, the superintendent (a) acknowledges receipt of the request; (b) sets the date for an informal hearing which must be held within ten (10) school days from the date the request is received; (c) informs all individuals concerned, in writing, of the time, date, and place of the hearing; and (d) notifies the student of his/her right to present information, evidence, and witnesses. The superintendent is responsible for conducting the hearing, questioning parties at the informal hearing, and providing an opportunity for the student to question parties at the hearing. Within five (5) school days after the informal hearing, the superintendent reviews all data and information presented at the hearing, renders a decision, and notifies the student and principal, in writing, of the decision and the student's right of appealing the decision.