Policies » Section A: Foundations & Basic Commitments » AC: Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity Employment And District Anti-Discrimination Plan

Policy Date: 09/19/2023

HSD File: AC
HOOKSETT SCHOOL DISTRICT
NONDISCRIMINATION, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT AND DISTRICT ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PLAN

1. Prohibition Against Discrimination of Students in Educational Programs and Activities.
Under New Hampshire law and Board policy, no person shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or
subjected to discrimination in the District’s public schools because of their age, sex, gender identity,
sexual orientation, race, color, marital status, familial status, disability, religion or national origin.
Discrimination, including harassment, against any student in the District’s education programs, on the
basis of any of the above classes, or a student’s creed, is prohibited. Finally, there shall be no denial to
any person of the benefits of educational programs or activities, on the basis of any of the above classes,
or economic status.
Harassment of students other than on the basis of any of the classes or categories listed above is
prohibited under Board policy JICK Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention.

B. Equal Opportunity of Employment and Prohibition Against Discrimination in Employment.
The School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The District ensures equal employment
opportunities without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, marital status, national
origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. The District will employ individuals who meet
the physical and mental requirements, and who have the education, training, and experience established
as necessary for the performance of the job as specified in the pertinent job description(s).
Discrimination against and harassment of school employees because of age, sex, race, creed, religion,
color, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, national origin,
ancestry, sexual orientation, or gender identity are prohibited. Additionally, the District will not
discriminate against any employee who is a victim of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, or
stalking.

C. Policy Application.
This Policy is applicable to all persons employed or served by the District. It applies to all sites and
activities the District supervises, controls, or where it has jurisdiction under the law, including where it (a)
occurs on, or is delivered to, school property or a school-sponsored activity or event on or off school
property; or (b) occurs off of school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity or event, if the
conduct interferes with a student’s educational opportunities or substantially disrupts the orderly
operations of the school or school-sponsored activity or event, as set forth in Board policy JICK, Pupil
Safety and Violence Prevention. Examples of sites and activities include all District buildings and grounds,
school buses and other vehicles, field trips, and athletic competitions.
District Anti-Discrimination Plan.
No later than October 15, 2020, the Superintendent shall develop and provide to the Board for approval,
a coordinated written District Anti-Discrimination Plan (the “Plan”) to include guidelines, protocols and
procedures intended to prevent, assess the presence of, intervene in, and respond to incidents of
discrimination.
Among other things, the Plan should include provisions, and recommendations with respect to resources,
policies, complaint procedures, student education programs, Plan dissemination and training appropriate
to carrying out the Plan objectives stated in the preceding paragraph.
In developing the Plan, the Superintendent is encouraged to seek input from appropriate groups of the
school and local community and coordinate with the District’s Human Rights [Non-Discrimination] Officer
and Title IX and 504 Coordinators.
No less than once every two years (off years from review of the District’s Suicide Prevention Plan per
Policy JLDBB), the Superintendent shall update the District Anti-Discrimination Plan, and present the
same to the Board for review. Such Plan updates should be submitted to the Board in time for
appropriate budget consideration.

E. Human Rights [or Non-Discrimination], Title IX, 504 and other Coordinators or Officers.
The Superintendent shall assure that District and or building personnel are assigned to the positions listed
below.

Human Rights [or Non-Discrimination] Officer – Human Resources Director
Title IX Coordinator – Superintendent of Schools
504 Coordinator – School Counselors

F. Complaint and Reporting Procedures.
Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against, harassed, or bullied in violation
of this policy by any student, employee, or other person under the supervision and control of the school
system, or any third person who knows or suspects conduct that may constitute discrimination,
harassment, or bullying, should contact the District Human Rights Officer, or otherwise as provided in the
policies referenced below under this same heading.
Any employee who has witnessed, or who has reliable information that another person may have been
subjected to discrimination, harassment, or bullying in violation of this policy has a duty to report such
conduct to his/her immediate supervisor, the District Human Rights Officer, or as provided in one of the
policies or administrative procedures referenced below under this same heading. Additionally, employees
who observe an incident of harassment or bullying are expected to intervene to stop the conduct in
situations in which they have supervisory control over the perpetrator and it is safe to do so. If an
employee knows of an incident involving discrimination, harassment, or bullying and the employee fails to
report the conduct or take proper action or knowingly provides false information in regard to the incident,
the employee will be subject to disciplinary action up to, and including, dismissal.
Investigations and resolution of any complaints shall be according to the policies listed below and related
administrative procedures or regulations. Complaints or reports regarding matters not covered in one or
the other of those policies should be made to the District Human Rights Officer.
1. Reports or complaints of sexual harassment or sexual violence by employees or third party
contractors should be made under Board policy GBAA.
2. Reports or complaints of sexual harassment or sexual violence by students should be made under
Board policy JBAA.
3. Reports or complaints of discrimination on the basis of disability should be made under Board
policy ACE, except for complaints regarding facilities accessibility by disabled non-students or
employees, which should be made under Board policy KED.
4. Reports or complaints of bullying or other harassment of pupils should be made under Board
policy JICK.

G. Alternative Complaint Procedures and Legal Remedies.
At any time, whether or not an individual files a complaint or report under this Policy, an individual may
file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”), of the United States Department of Education, or
with the New Hampshire Commissioner for Human Rights.
1. Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor, Boston, MA
02109-3921; Telephone number: (617) 289-0111; Fax number: (617) 289-0150; Email:
OCR.Boston@ed.gov

Note: Complaints to OCR must be filed in writing no later than 180 days after the alleged
act(s) of discrimination. OCR may waive its 180 day time limit based on OCR policies and
procedures.

2. New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, 2 Industrial Park Drive, Concord, NH 03301;
Telephone number: (603) 271-2767; Email: humanrights@nh.gov

Notwithstanding any other remedy, any person may contact the police or pursue a criminal prosecution
under state or federal criminal law.

H. Retaliation Prohibited.

No reprisals or retaliation of any kind will be taken by the Board or by any District employee against the
complainant or other individual on account of his or her filing a complaint or report or participating in an
investigation of a complaint or report filed and decided pursuant to this policy, unless that person knew
the complaint or report was false or knowingly provided false information.

I. Administrative Procedures and Regulations.
The Superintendent shall develop such other procedures and regulations as are necessary and
appropriate to implement this Policy.

J. Notice of Compliance.
The Superintendent will provide notice of compliance with federal and state civil rights laws to all
applicants for employment, employees, students, parents, and other interested persons, as appropriate.
This policy will be reviewed every year.

Legal References:
RSA 186:11, XXXIII, Discrimination, RSA 193:38, Discrimination in Public Schools, RSA 193-F, Student
Safety and Violence Protection Act, RSA 275:71, Prohibited Conduct by Employer, RSA 354-A, State
Commission for Human Rights, The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, 29 U.S.C. 621, et seq.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 705 and 794, Title II of The Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, 42 U.S.C. 12101, et seq., Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000c, Title VII of The
Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d, et seq, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20
U.S.C 1681, et seq, NH Dept of Ed. Rule 303.01 (i), School Board Substantive Duties

OUTSIDE AGENCIES:
Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education; 5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02109-
3921; Telephone – 617-289-0111; Email – OCR.Boston@ed.gov
Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Dept of Agriculture; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C.,
20250-9410; Telephone – 866-632-9992; Email – program.intake@usda.gov
N.H. Commission for Human Rights, 2 Industrial Park Drive, Concord 0330, Telephone – 603-271-2767;
Email – humanrights@nh.gov
N.H. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Unit; 33 Capitol Street, Concord, NH 03301; Telephone – 603-
271-1181
N.H. Department of Education, Commissioner of Education; 101 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301,
Telephone – 603-271-3494; Email – info@doe.nh.gov

Adopted: April 20, 1999
Revised: March 16, 2001
Adopted: February 15, 2005
Revised: January 22, 2019
Revised: July 29, 2020
Reviewed: May 17, 2022, May 16, 2023
Revised: August 15, 2023, September 19, 2023