Machine-extracted text of a publicly
posted document, provided for reference and search. The original document at
the link above is authoritative.
Book Policy Manual
Section 4000 - Personnel Certified/Non-Certified
Title Non-Discrimination Policy (Personnel)
Code 4118.11
Status Active
Adopted June 13, 2017
Last Revised November 9, 2021
Prior Revised Dates 08/14/2018; 06/21/2021;
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY (PERSONNEL)
The Board of Education will not make employment decisions (including decisions related to hiring, assignment,
compensation, promotion, demotion, disciplinary action and termination) on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex,
marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability (including pregnancy), genetic information, veteran
status or gender identity or expression, except in the case of a bona fide occupational qualification.
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), genetic information, veteran
status or gender identity or expression, 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. It is also the policy of the Board of Education to provide for the prompt and equitable
resolution of complaints alleging any discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, color, religion,
age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, disability (including pregnancy), veteran status or gender
identity or expression.
For the purposes of this policy, “genetic information” means the information about genes, gene products, or inherited
characteristics that may derive from an individual or a family member. “Genetic information” may also include an
individuals’ family medical history, the results of an individual’s or family member’s genetic tests, the fact that an individual
or an individual’s family member sought or received genetic services, and genetic information of a fetus carried by an
individual or an individual’s family member or an embryo lawfully held by an individual or family member receiving assistive
reproductive services.
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.
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.
Any employee 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/Personnel. These regulations accompany Board Policy #4118.11P 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 under other appropriate policies Series 4000 #4118.11 Sex
Discrimination & Sexual Harassment in the Workplace; Series 4000 #4118.14 Employees & Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 & Title ll of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Any employee 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 http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html
Employees may also file a complaint regarding employment discrimination 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)
Employees 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
(800-477-5737)
Anyone who has questions or concerns about this policy, or 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 on the basis of gender/sex 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 on the basis of 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
Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, Pub.L.110-233, 42
U.S.C. § 2000ff; 29 CFR 1635.1 et seq.
Connecticut General Statutes § 10-153. Discrimination on basis of marital status
Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, CT General Statutes § 46a-60
Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-81a Discrimination on basis of sexual
orientation: Definitions
Connecticut General Statutes § 46a-81c Sexual orientation discrimination:
Employment.
Public Act 17-127, An Act Concerning Discriminatory Practices Against Veterans,
Leaves of Absence for National Guard Members, Application for Certain Medicaid
Programs, and Disclosure of Certain Records to Federal Military Law Enforcement.
Replace with shipmen 4118 Non-discrimination