P1105

ST. LOUIS BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Citizen Communication to the Board of Education

The Board of Education recognizes the necessity for open communication with students, parents, patrons, and staff but is also aware that a procedure for processing concerns and complaints is imperative to the normal operations of the District. It is the intent of the Board that concerns and complaints be resolved at the lowest possible level.

Complaints Made to Individual Board Members

Members of the Board of Education have no authority or power to act on behalf of the Board or the District except when acting as a member of the entire Board at a duly called Board meeting when acting with express, specific authority granted by the Board or by law. Should any member of the Board be approached by a student, parent, patron or staff member who has a concern or complaint, the member should:

1. Listen attentively to the concerns but not take any inflexible position. ·

2. Instruct the individual about the District’s process for resolving concerns and complaints and direct the individual to the appropriate complaint or grievance procedure or the Secretary to the Board of Education for information concerning such procedures. If the concern or complaint involves a teacher, the individual should first be informed to discuss the matter with the teacher or the building-level administrator.

3. Inform the Superintendent or the Secretary to the Board of Education of the concern. The Superintendent or Secretary to the Board of Education may refer matters to appropriate administrators.

The Board and the District shal not be bound in any way by the action or statement on the part of any individual Board member or committee, except when such statements or action is taken or made in conformance with expressed, specific authority granted or by law.

Complaints Made to the Board

Concerns or complaints made to the Board of Education at a duly called Board meeting at such time as the agenda provides for public participation or comment. The Board will not engage in conversation/dialogue with members of the public during public comment to avoid violation of the open meetings law.

In the event the complaint involves a personnel matter relating to an employee of the District, the individual raising the complaint shall be directed by the Board President first to exhaust the appropriate complaint or grievance procedure. The Board shall not respond or take action on such a complaint until such complaint or grievance procedure has been exhausted.

Individuals raising concerns or complaints involving non-personnel matters which may be the subject of a complaint or grievance procedure may also be directed to first use such complaint or grievance procedure.

Approved: May 12, 2020