Wilson Central School District

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Wilson Central School District (“the District”) does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities it operates, including employment and admissions, and it is required by Title IX and its attendant regulations not to discriminate in such a manner.  All forms of sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, are strictly prohibited by the District.  Inquiries regarding Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator(s) or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, or both.  

Policy 3421 - Title IX Policy Against Sexual Harassment and Sex Discrimination

Title IX Complaint Form

The following individuals have been designated to serve as the District’s Title IX Coordinators. Such Coordinators are authorized to coordinate the District’s efforts to comply with its responsibilities under Title IX.

Carolyn Oliveri, School Business Administrator, 374 Lake St., Wilson, NY 14172, 716-751-9341, ext. 121

Paul Galgovich, High School Principal, 374 Lake St., Wilson, NY 14172, 716-751-9341, ext. 114

Grievance Process

PURPOSE: The purpose of these procedures is to secure prompt and equitable resolutions of formal complaints of sexual harassment, and to treat both Complainants and Respondents equitably in the process. These procedures apply only to formal complaints alleging sexual harassment prohibited by Title IX. Upon receipt of a formal complaint of sexual harassment, the Title IX Coordinator will coordinate the District's efforts to comply with its responsibilities related to the Grievance Process. These procedures shall be followed prior to the imposition of any disciplinary sanctions or other actions that are not supportive measures against the Respondent unless otherwise noted herein.

Process for Filing a Formal Complaint of Sexual Harassment

The Title IX Grievance Process is initiated by way of a formal complaint filed by the Complainant, the Complainant's parent/guardian, or the Title IX Coordinator. A formal complaint should be filed with the Title IX Coordinator. The Complainant may file a formal complaint or choose not to file a formal complaint and simply receive the supportive measures. If the Complainant does not file a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator may sign a formal complaint, but only if initiating the Grievance Process against the Respondent is not clearly unreasonable in light of the known circumstances, or in other cases where, in the exercise of good judgment, the Title IX Coordinator determines that a Grievance Process is necessary to comply with the obligation not to be deliberately indifferent to known allegations of sexual harassment. If the formal complaint is filed by the Title IX Coordinator, he/she is not a party to the action, and the District must comply with all of the provisions of the Title IX Grievance Process relative to Respondents and Complainants.

 Although there is no time limit per se to filing a formal complaint, a Complainant must be participating in or attempting to participate in the education program or activity of the District at the time of filing. Delays in reporting may significantly impair the ability of school officials to investigate and respond to the allegations.

At a minimum, a formal complaint must:

1. Contain the name and address of the Complainant;
    
2. Describe the alleged sexual harassment;
    
3. Request an investigation of the matter; and
    
4. Be signed by the Complainant or otherwise indicate that the Complainant is the person filing the formal complaint.

The formal complaint may be filed with the Title IX coordinator in person, by mail, or by email. A complaint form is included below and may be obtained from the Title IX Coordinator or on the District's website. A written narrative may be attached to the complaint form explaining the nature of the formal complaint. The complaint form or narrative should contain information that describes the conduct and identifies with reasonable particularity the Complainant(s), the Respondent(s), and any witness(es) to the alleged conduct.

Initial Steps and Notice of Formal Complaint

Following receipt of a formal complaint:

1. The Title IX Coordinator will provide notice to the Complainant and to the Respondent (if known), as well as to any other known parties, of the following:
   1. This Grievance Process, including any informal resolution process;
       
   2. The allegations of sexual harassment potentially constituting sexual harassment, including sufficient details known at the time and with sufficient time to prepare a response before any initial interview. "Sufficient details" shall include to the extent known identities of persons involved, the conduct allegedly constituting sexual harassment, and the date and location of the incident(s);
       
   3. A statement that the Respondent is presumed not responsible for the alleged conduct and that a determination regarding responsibility will be made at the conclusion of the Grievance Process;
       
   4. That each party has the right to have an advisor of his or her choice who may be, but is not required to be, an attorney;
       
   5. That each party is entitled to inspect and review evidence; and
       
   6. Any provisions in the District's Code of Conduct or other applicable District policies, rules or collective bargaining agreements that prohibit knowingly making false statements or knowingly submitting false information in the course of the grievance procedures.
       
2. The Title IX Coordinator will contact the Complainant to discuss and offer supportive measures as appropriate.
    
3. The Title IX Coordinator may contact the Respondent to discuss, and/or impose, nondisciplinary supportive measures.
    
4. The Title IX Coordinator will examine the allegations in the formal complaint to determine whether the allegations, if assumed to be true, are sufficient to sustain a finding of sexual harassment under this Policy.
   1. If the Title IX Coordinator was not involved with preparing the formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator will contact the Complainant to discuss the allegations in the formal complaint and whether amendment is appropriate. In the event that amendment is appropriate, the Title IX Coordinator shall immediately provide notice of the additional allegations to the parties whose identities are known.
       
   2. If the allegations set forth in the formal complaint are insufficient to sustain a finding of sexual harassment under this Policy, the complaint shall be dismissed. Please refer to the Dismissal of a Formal Complaint section on page 17, for additional details regarding dismissal, including additional grounds on which a formal complaint must/may be dismissed.
       
   3. If the formal complaint is not dismissed, then the Title IX Coordinator will consult with the Superintendent with regard to designating an appropriate investigator and DecisionMaker, both of whom must be properly training and otherwise qualified.

Title IX Compliance Training Link