Copy of 0521 Non-Discrimination Policy (Community)

Book                      Policy Manual

Section                   0000/1000 - Community/Board Operations

Title                     Non-Discrimination Policy (Community)

Code                      0521

Status                    Active

Adopted                   October 12, 1999

Last Revised              November 9, 2021

Prior Revised Dates       11/15/2011; 05/13/2014; 06/13/2017; 08/14/2018; 06/21/2021;




                                 NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY (COMMUNITY)


It is the policy of the Board of Education that any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race,
religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability (including pregnancy),
gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law is prohibited,
whether by students, Board employees or third parties subject to the control of the Board. The Board’s
prohibition of discrimination or harassment in its educational programs or activities expressly extends to
academic, nonacademic and extracurricular activities, including athletics, as well as the district website. It is also
the policy of the Board of Education to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any
discrimination or harassment on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, age, sex,
sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, disability (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression,
or veteran status.

For the purposes of this policy, “gender identity or expression” means a person's gender-related identity,
appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from
that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth, which gender-related identity
can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the
gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence
that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person's core identity or not being asserted for an
improper purpose.

For the purposes of this policy, “veteran” means any person honorably discharged from, released under
honorable conditions from active service in, or released with an other than honorable discharge based on a
qualifying condition from the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force,
and any reserve component thereof, including the Connecticut National Guard. “Qualifying condition” means (A) a
diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury made by an individual licensed to provide
health care services at a United States Department of Veterans Affairs facility, (B) an experience of military
sexual trauma disclosed to an individual licensed to provide health care services at a United States Department of
Veterans Affairs facility, or (C) a determination that sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression was
more likely than not the primary reason for an other than honorable discharge, as determined in accordance with
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 27-103(c), (d).

For the purposes of this policy, “race” is inclusive of ethnic traits historically associated with race, including but
not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. “Protective hairstyles” includes, but is not limited to, wigs,
headwraps and hairstyles such as individual braids, cornrows, locs, twists, Bantu knots, afros and afro puffs.
Any individual wishing to file a complaint regarding discrimination or harassment may obtain a copy of the
Board’s complaint procedures and complaint form which are included in the Board’s Administrative Regulations
Regarding Non-Discrimination. These regulations accompany Board Policy 0521P and are available online at
www.colchesterct.org or upon request from the main office of any district school.

If a complaint involves allegations of discrimination or harassment based on reasons such as gender/sex, gender
identity, sexual orientation, or disability, such complaints will be handled in accordance with other appropriate
policies #4118.11P Sex Discrimination & Sexual Harassment in the Workplace; #5145.5P Sex Discrimination &
Sexual Harassment (Students); #4118.14P Employees & Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 & Title ll of
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and #5145P Students & Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
& Title ll of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Individuals also may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education (“OCR”):

Office for Civil Rights, Boston Office
U.S. Department of Education 8th Floor
5 Post Office Square Boston, MA 02109- 3921
(617) 289-0111
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html

Employees may also file a complaint regarding employment discrimination or harassment with the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Boston Area Office John F. Kennedy Federal Building
475 Government Center
Boston, MA 02203
(800-669-4000)

Individuals may also file a complaint with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities:

Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities 450 Columbus Blvd.
Hartford, CT 06103-1835
(860-541-3400 or Connecticut Toll Free Number 1-800-477-5737)

Anyone who has questions or concerns about this policy, and/or who may wish to request or discuss
accommodations based on religion, and/or who would like a copy of the Board’s complaint procedures or
complaint forms related to claims of discrimination, may contact:

        Director of Pupil Services and Special Education
        380 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415, 860.537.3103

Anyone who has questions or concerns about the Board’s policies regarding discrimination or harassment on the
basis of gender/sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation may contact the Board’s Title IX Coordinator:

        Director of Pupil Services and Special Education
        380 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415, 860.537.3103

Anyone who has questions or concerns about the Board’s policies regarding discrimination or harassment on the
basis of disability, and/or who may wish to request or discuss accommodations for a disability may contact the
Board’s Section 504/ADA Coordinator:

        Director of Pupil Services and Special Education
        380 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415, 860.537.3103


Legal                    Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000d et seq.

                         Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq.
                         Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. Age
                         Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 621

                         Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12101
                         Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §794
                      Conn. Gen. Stat. §46a-58. Deprivation of rights. Desecration of property. Placing of
                      burning cross or noose on property. Penalty. Restitution.

                      Conn. Gen. Stat. §46a-81c Sexual orientation discrimination: Employment.
                      Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-153. Discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity or
                      expression or marital status prohibited.

                      Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, Conn. Gen. Stat §46a-60 and §46a-81a



This policy with be replaced by Shipmen minimum legal attached. Review customized Shipmen

policy and discuss any concerns.