Title IX

It is the policy of the Board that any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, alienage, ancestry, disability, 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 or harassment on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, nation al origin, alienage, ancestry, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or gender identity or expression.

Title IX is a federal law that was passed in 1972 to protect people from discrimination based on sex in educational programs, or other activities that receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states that no one should be excluded from participation, denied benefits, or subject to discrimination on the basis of sex. You can find the Board’s Title IX Policy here: WPS Non-Discrimination Policy 4090

Please also see Title IX Final Regulations

Please see the following form: Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Form

Any form of sex discrimination or sexual harassment is prohibited in the Board’s education programs and activities.

Sex discrimination occurs when a person, because of the person’s sex, is denied participation in or the benefits of any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Sexual harassment means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

(1) An employee of the Board conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the Board on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo);

(2) Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the Board’s education programs or activities;

(3) “Sexual assault” as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), “dating violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10), “domestic violence” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8), or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30).

If you have questions or to report a concern contact the District IX Coordinator:

Lisa Fekete , Director of Special Education & Pupil Personnel Services

(860)945-4812

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 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)

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 (860-541-3400 or Connecticut Toll Free Number 1-800-477-5737)

Anyone who has questions or concerns about these regulations, and/or who may wish to request or discuss accommodations based on religion, may contact:

Superintendent of Schools 860-945-4801

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:

Lisa Fekete, Director of Special Education & Pupil Personnel Services (860)945-4812

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:

Lisa Fekete, Director of Special Education & Pupil Personnel Services (860)945-4812