TITLE IX: NONDISCRIMINATION  ON  THE BASIS  OF  SEX

The following is to comply with Title IX regulations found in 34 CFR Part 106 as revised in April of 2020 which is said to be designed to eliminate (with certain exceptions) discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.  An "education program or activity" includes locations, events, or circumstances over which the District exercised substantial control over both the respondent and the context in which the sexual harassment occurs.

The District shall notify applicants for employment, students, parents or legal guardians of elementary and secondary school students, employees, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with the District (persons entitled to notification), of the name or title, office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number of the employee or employees designated as the Title IX Coordinator.

Name:            Glenn Russ
Title:               Title IX Coordinator
Address:     PO Box 19000
                        Clovis, NM 88102-9000
Phone:          (575) 769-4300 ext. 5516 during normal working hours, after hours 575-799-3515
E-mail:          glenn.russ@clovis-schools.org

Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person's verbal or written report (such as reporting to any District employee).  Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number or electronic mail address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator.

Any employee of the District is required to inform the Title IX Coordinator, Superintendent or the Supervising Administrator of their work site of any report made to them or any instance they observed regarding sexual discrimination or sexual harassment as soon as possible.  Failure to do so may result in their being subject to disciplinary action.

Policy on Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex.  This School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that it operates, and per Title IX and 34 CFR Part 106 will not discriminate in such a manner.  The requirement not to discriminate in the education programs or activities extends to employment.  Inquiries about the application of Title IX and 34 CFR Part 106 may be referred to the District's Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education, or both.

Publications.  The District will prominently display the contact information required for the Title IX Coordinator and the policy found herein on its website and in each handbook or catalog that it makes available to persons entitled to notification.  The District will not use or distribute a publication stating that the recipient treats applicants, students, or employees differently on the basis of sex except as such treatment is permitted by Title IX or 34 CFR Part 106.

Grievance procedure and process adoption.  The District shall adopt, publish and provide notice of grievance procedures that provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints alleging any action that would be prohibited by 34 CFR Part 106 and a grievance process that complies with § 106.45 for a report of sex discrimination or a formal complaint.  As defined in §106.30(a), a "Formal complaint" means a document filed by a complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging sexual harassment against a respondent and requesting that the recipient investigate the allegation of sexual harassment."  At the time of filing a formal complaint, a complainant must be participating in or attempting to participate in the education program or activity of the District in which a formal complaint is filed.

The District must provide to persons entitled to a notification, notice of the grievance procedures and grievance process, including:

•   how to report or file a grievance of sex discrimination,

•   how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and

•   how recipient will respond.

For purposes of this policy and by citation, the definitions in 34 CFR 106.30(a), are adopted (see citations below under LEGAL REF.)  For purposes of this policy and in accord with the definitions in 106.30(a), "sexual harassment" means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one (1) or more of the following:

(1)   An employee of the recipient conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the recipient on an individual's participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;

(2) Unwelcome conduct on the basis of sex determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient's education program or activity; or

(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)."

Upon receiving a report regarding sex discrimination or sexual harassment with or without a formal complaint, the Title IX Coordinator shall provide a response to complainant and respondent of non-disciplinary, non-punitive individualized services offered as appropriate, as reasonably available, and without fee or charge which provide supportive measures and which shall include, discussion of supportive measures and informing them of what is available without a formal complaint.  The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for the implementation of supportive measures.

Upon the making of a report regarding sex discrimination or sexual harassment the Title IX Coordinator shall promptly contact the complainant to:

•   discuss the availability of supportive measures as defined in § 106.30,

•   consider the complainant's wishes with respect to supportive measures

•   inform the complainant of the availability of supportive measures with or without the filing of a formal complaint, and

•   explain to the complainant the process for filing a formal complaint.

Supportive measures as indicated above may include:

•   counseling,

•   extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments,

•   modifications of work or class schedules,

•   campus escort services,

•   mutual restrictions on contact between the parties,

•   changes in work or housing locations,

•   leaves of absence,

•   increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus, and

•   administrative leave while a grievance is pending,

•   emergency removal (following an individualized safety and risk analysis), and

•   other similar measures.

In responding to a report or formal complaint the District must treat complainant and respondent equitably by offering both supportive measures.

The District must maintain as confidential any supportive measures provided to the complainant or respondent, to the extent that maintaining such confidentiality would not impair the ability to provide the supportive measures.  The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the effective implementation of supportive measures.

Retaliation prohibition. No recipient or other person may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX or § 106, or because the individual has made a report or grievance, testified, assisted, or participated in or refused to participate in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this part.  Intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination, including charges against an individual for code of conduct violations that do not involve sex discrimination or sexual harassment, but arise out of the same facts or circumstances as a report or grievance of sex discrimination, or a report or formal complaint of sexual harassment, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title IX or this part, constitutes retaliation.

Corrective measures.  A finding of responsibility will be a determination that the District or a person in the District has violated policy and actions to correct the discriminatory practice or change the behavior of those involved will be instituted.  Remedies designed to restore or preserve equal access to the District's education program or activity will be provided by the District, if appropriate.

A substantiated report of sex discrimination or formal complaint finding responsibility against a staff member in the District shall subject such staff member to disciplinary action in accord with GCQF - Discipline, Suspension, and Dismissal of Professional Staff Members or GDQD - Discipline, Suspension, and Dismissal of Support Staff Members.

A substantiated report of sex discrimination or formal complaint finding responsibility against a student in the District shall subject that student to disciplinary action, which may include the permissible penalties of JK - Student Discipline and/or JKD - Student Suspension/Expulsion.

Adopted:   August 25, 2020