The Board subscribes to an orderly, well-defined grievance procedure for the resolution of problems
derived from applications of published Board policies and district regulations. Grievances will be
handled expeditiously in accordance with the procedures approved by the Board.
Definitions
Board – The Board of Education of the Jefferson City School District.
Days – Calendar days, whether occurring during the regular school year or during the summer, but
excluding: weekends; district-designated holidays (whether on the original school calendar or
designated thereafter); winter and spring breaks and other Board-designated breaks; and closings due
to inclement weather, illness, natural disaster, or other emergencies.
Grievance– An allegation by an individual employee of the Jefferson City Public School District that
a collective bargaining agreement or a specific, written, Board-adopted policy or regulation has been
violated or misinterpreted. A grievance does not include concerns regarding performance
evaluations or remedial documents, nonrenewal of contracts, employee discipline, reduction in force
or termination. This policy does not apply if another Board policy or regulation or state or federal
law provides due process, a hearing or a different method for addressing the issue.
Grievance Forms – The forms developed specifically for filing a complaint, which may be obtained
from a building principal or central office administrator.
Grievant – A district employee who has filed a grievance.
"Immediate Supervisor – An administrator to whom an employee is directly responsible.
Performance Evaluations or Remedial Documents – Any assessment of employee performance
including, but not limited to, notice of deficiencies, job targets, professional development plans and
professional improvement plans.
Superintendent – The chief administrator for the school district.
Informal Consultation with Immediate Supervisor or Administrator at the Level of Concern
The parties acknowledge that it is usually most desirable for an employee or representative of a
group of employees and the immediate supervisor to resolve problems through free and informal
communications.
If an employee believes that he or she has a grievance, he or she shall, within ten days following
knowledge of the act or condition that is the basis for the grievance, discuss the issues involved with
appropriate individuals before initiating a grievance.
The decision by the immediate supervisor shall be given within four working days following the
discussion. If the issues are not resolved in this manner, the levels established in this procedure shall
be followed.
Formal Grievance Process
1. Grievances must be filed within ten days of the occurrence that is the basis of the grievance.
The grievance must be in writing, on the forms provided by the district, and include a copy
of the provision of the collective bargaining agreement, policy or regulation alleged to be
violated or misinterpreted, as well as a statement of the relief requested.
2. Grievances will be processed according to the step-by-step process outlined below, with the
following exceptions. If a person designated to hear a grievance is the subject of the
grievance, the grievance process will begin at the next highest step. If a grievance is directly
based on official Board action, the grievance shall be directed to the Board secretary. The
grievance may be heard by the Board at the sole discretion of the Board.
3. No new information may be added and no new claims may be made after Step 1. Each
subsequent appeal will address only the facts and issues presented at Step 1.
4. The deadlines established under this policy may be extended upon the written request of the
grievant or the supervisor, but the final decision regarding any extension shall be made by
the superintendent at his or her sole discretion. Investigation and reporting deadlines will be
extended when more time is necessary to adequately conduct an investigation and to render
a decision. The grievant will be notified when deadlines are extended.
5. Failure of the grievant to appeal within the timelines given will be considered acceptance of
the findings and remedial action taken. The district will not consider late appeals.
6. Once a decision is rendered under this grievance process, the decision is final. Grievance
decisions cannot be the subject of a new grievance.
7. Because the point of a grievance is to provide resolution outside the court system, an
employee is not entitled to bring an attorney to grievance proceedings. Once an attorney
becomes involved in the process, the superintendent or designee will refer the matter to the
district's private attorney and the grievance process will end.
Level One – Statement of Formal Grievance to Immediate Supervisor
If informal efforts are not successful, the grievant shall present the grievance in writing to his or her
immediate supervisor no later than four days following the informal decision by their immediate
supervisor.
The immediate supervisor shall arrange for a conference to take place within five days after receipt
of the grievance.
Within four days following the conference, the immediate supervisor shall communicate his or her
decision in writing on the standard grievance form to the grievant.
Level Two – Review by Support Staff Supervisor, if appropriate; otherwise Skip to Level Three
If the grievance is not resolved at Level One, the employee or the representative of a group of
employees may refer the grievance in writing to the support staff central office supervisor within four
days after receipt of the Level One answer.
The support staff central office supervisor shall meet with the employee within five days of his or
her receipt of the appeal.
The support staff central office supervisor shall have four days following the conference to provide
his or her written decisions to the employee.
Level Three – Review by the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary or Secondary Education or
Central Office Director
If the grievance is not resolved at Level Two, the employee or the representative of a group of
employees may refer the grievance in writing to the appropriate administrator within four days after
receipt of the Level Two answer.
The administrator shall meet with the employee within five days of his or her receipt of the appeal.
The administrator shall have four days following the conference to provide his or her written
decisions to the employee.
Level Four – Review by the Assistant to the Superintendent
If the grievance is not resolved at Level Three, the employee or the representative of a group of
employees may refer the grievance in writing to the Assistant to the Superintendent for Human
Resources within four days after receipt of the Level Three answer.
The assistant to the superintendent shall meet with the employee within five days of his or her receipt
of the appeal.
The assistant to the superintendent will have four days following the conference to provide his or
her written decisions to the employee.
Level Five – Review by the Superintendent
If the employee or representative of a group of employees is not satisfied with the decision of the
CFO, he or she may refer the grievance in writing to the superintendent within four days after receipt
of the Level Four answer.
The superintendent shall meet with the employee within five days of his or her receipt of the appeal.
Upon conclusion of the hearing, the superintendent will have four days in which to provide his or
her written decision to the employee.
Level Six – Decision by the Board of Education
If the employee or representative of a group of employees is not satisfied with the decision of the
superintendent, he or she may, within four days of the decision of the superintendent, request in
writing on the standard grievance form that a hearing be held by the Board of Education. The Board
of Education, at its sole discretion, may decide to hear the grievance.
If the Board agrees to hear the grievance, a time and date for the hearing will be set by the Board of
Education at the next regular meeting. The hearing date set to review the grievance shall be no later
than the following regularly scheduled Board meeting and held in a closed meeting of the Board of
Education.
The Board shall render a decision on the grievance which shall be final, and this decision shall be
communicated in writing to the grievant within five days following the Board's hearing.
Forms
The Grievance Forms for professional staff will be available in each building in the district, as well
as in the central office.
Documentation
A grievant will receive a written response or report regarding his or her grievance, but the grievant
and persons investigated in the course of the grievance are not entitled to view or receive copies of
the investigation file or notes taken during the investigation, unless required by law. If an employee
is disciplined as a result of the grievance, the discipline may be recorded in the employee's personnel
file and discussed with the employee. Information recorded in an employee's personnel file will not
be shared except as provided in Board policy or required by law.
* * * * * * *
In the event of a discrepancy between an administrative procedure and a Board policy, the Board
policy will take precedence.
Note: The reader is encouraged to check the index located at the beginning of this section
for other pertinent policies and to review administrative procedures and/or forms for
related information.
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Adopted: 09/10/1990
Revised: 11/13/2000; 06/14/2004; 02/13/2012
Cross Refs: BDDH, Public Participation at Board Meetings
HA, Negotiations with Employee Representatives
KL, Public Complaints
Jefferson City School District, Jefferson City, Missouri
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