Grievance Procedures
The Byram Hills Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability in access to its programs and activities.

Parents and students may request impartial review with respect to any action of the District concerning identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student with a disability who needs or may need special education or related services. Impartial review can be requested in a letter to Gina Cunningham or Colleen O'Connor, Section 504/ Title II Coordinators for the District. The letter should include identifying information about the student who is the subject of the appeal, the reasons for the appeal and a proposed resolution. Complaints by any individual of discrimination in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 can also be addressed through the following grievance procedure:


Step 1: Informal Discussion with Building Principal
Complainants are encouraged to try to resolve problems promptly through informal dispute resolution. The complainant meets informally with the building principal and discusses his/her complaint. If the complaint cannot be resolved informally, the complainant should prepare a brief written statement describing the discrimination which is the subject of the complaint and a
proposed resolution. The principal will investigate and will reply with a proposed resolution or a plan for further investigation within 10 working days of the initial meeting.


Step 2: Written Complaint to Section 504/Title II Coordinator

• If the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved through Step 1, the complainant may file a written grievance with the Section 504/Title II Coordinator. The written grievance must include:A clear statement of the alleged violation.
• The remedy sought by the complainant.
• The complainant’s signature and date.
• The coordinator will conduct a full investigation of the grievance and will prepare a written report of the investigation that will include:
• A clear statement of allegations of the grievance and remedy sought.
• A statement of the facts as contended by each party.
• A statement of the facts as found by the coordinator and evidence to support each fact.
• A list of witnesses interviewed and documents reviewed during the investigation.
• A narrative describing attempts to resolve the grievance.
• The coordinator’s conclusions on whether the grievance is valid.
   

The coordinator will take immediate steps to resolve any matter of ongoing concern.

If investigation is required, the coordinator’s report and recommendation will be completed as promptly as possible, but within 45 calendar days of receipt of the written complaint, unless the parties agree to additional time for purposes of completing the investigation. Complaints that are very complex, that require access to sources not readily available, or that are received immediately before or during the summer vacation or school vacation periods may require additional time.

If the coordinator finds that the grievance is valid, the coordinator will recommend appropriate action to the Superintendent.

A copy of the report will be provided to the complainant. If the Superintendent agrees with the recommendations of the coordinator, the recommendations will be implemented.


Step 3: Appeal to Board of Education
If the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved through Step 2, the complainant may file a written appeal to the Board of Education. The appeal, which must be filed within 10 days of the Superintendent’s decision, must include copies of the disposition at Step 1, if applicable, the written complaint, the coordinator’s report and the Superintendent’s decision.

The appeal will be considered by the Board of Education within 30 days or at the next scheduled board meeting after the appeal has been filed. Any documents to be reviewed by the Board must be submitted at least five working days before the meeting at which the appeal will be heard. Within 10 days of considering the appeal, the Board will issue a written decision through the Superintendent’s office.


OCR Complaint
At any stage in this grievance procedure, the complainant has the right to file a formal complaint with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 26 Federal Plaza Suite 31-100 New York, NY 10278-9991. Telephone: (646) 428-3800 or TTY (800) 877-8339. Email: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov.

Section 504/Title II Coordinators
Ms. Gina Cunningham
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
273-4082, ext. 5950

Mrs. Colleen O’Connor
Director of Special Services and Health Services
273-2280, ext. 3992

Notice of Non-Discrimination 
The Byram Hills Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sex, sexual orientation, creed, disability or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the District’s non-discrimination policies: 

Ms. Gina Cunningham and Mrs. Colleen O’Connor 
Section 504/Title II of the ADA 
10 Tripp Lane 
Armonk, New York 10504 
(914) 273-4082, ext. 5950

Ms. Gina Cunningham and Mrs. Colleen O’Connor 
Title IX, Title VII, Title VI and Human Rights Compliance 
10 Tripp Lane 
Armonk, New York 10504 
(914) 273-4082, ext. 5950


Equal Opportunity
The Byram Hills Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, creed, religion, marital status, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability.