Grievance Policy

If any person believes that Perry Street Prep Public Charter School (“Perry Street Prep”) has violated the regulations of Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VI, Title IX, and/or the Age Act by discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, he/she may submit a complaint to the appropriate individual below.

 

Complaints involving students who attend Perry Street Prep may be submitted to Rachel Crouch Principal - PreK-8, 1800 Perry Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20018, 202.529.4400,  [email protected].

 

Complaints involving Perry Street Prep employees or third parties may be submitted to Kelly Smith, Director of Operations, 1800 Perry Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20018, 202.529.44000 (phone),  [email protected].

 

The grievance procedures outlined below establish how complaints will be investigated and resolved. These grievance procedures are intended to provide for a prompt and equitable resolution of complaints. These grievance procedures may be used by employees, students, parents, or third parties. These grievance procedures do not bar individuals from filing claims in other forums to the extent permitted by state or federal law.

 

Perry Street Prep encourages individuals to discuss their concerns with appropriate school officials before resorting to a formal complaint. However, individuals are not required to do so before filing a formal complaint. Perry Street Prep prohibits retaliation against individuals who file a complaint or participate in a complaint investigation.A formal complaint may be filed by following the steps outlined below:

 

Within 90 days of the alleged discrimination or harassment, written notice of the complaint must be filed with the individual designated above. If the complaint is being made against the designated individual above, the complaint can be submitted directly to the individual identified in Step 2, who will designate an appropriate individual to investigate the complaint. The written notice must include the nature of the complaint, the date(s) of the occurrence, the desired result, and must be signed and dated by the person making the complaint.

Upon receipt of the written notice of the complaint, the designated individual identified to investigate the complaint will immediately initiate an adequate, reliable and impartial investigation of the complaint. Each investigation will include, as necessary, interviewing witnesses, obtaining documents and allowing parties to present evidence. All documentation related to the investigation will remain confidential.

 

Within thirty (30) business days of receiving the written notice of the complaint, the individual investigating the complaint will respond in writing to the complainant. The response will summarize the course and outcome of the investigation, and identify an appropriate resolution. If, as a result of the investigation, it is determined that discrimination or harassment have occurred, appropriate corrective and remedial action will be taken.

 

If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision from Step 1, he/she may submit a signed statement of appeal to the Principal, Rachel Crouch OR Director of Operations, Kelly Smith, 1800 Perry Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20018, 202.529.4400 (phone), within ten (10) business days after receipt of the response. The Principal, or designee, will review all relevant information and meet with the parties involved, as necessary. Within twenty-one (21) business days of receiving the statement of appeal, the Principal, or designee, will respond in writing to the complainant summarizing the outcome of the appeal and any corrective or remedial action to be taken.

If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision from Step 2 he/she may appeal through a signed written statement to the school Board of Trustees within ten (10) business days of the receipt of the Principal’s response. A statement of appeal to the Board may be submitted to the Principal who will provide the statement to the Board. In an attempt to resolve the grievance, the Board shall review all relevant information and meet with the concerned parties and their representatives within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such an appeal. A copy of the Board's disposition of the appeal shall be sent to each concerned party within fifteen (15) business days of this meeting.

 

The complainant may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights at any time before or during the grievance procedures. The regional office for the District of Columbia is located at 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202 and can be reached at 202.453.6020 (ph.), 202.453.6021 (fax).