Ombudsman Brochure rev.indd - Austin ISD

The Austin School District Ombudsman
represents AISD’s commitment
to excellent customer service.
Contact with the District Ombudsman
is confidential.
Address Correction requested
Austin ISD
1111 West Sixth Street
Austin, TX 78703
Working
together for
the success of
every child.
Contact Information
Beverly Reeves, District Ombudsman
Austin ISD
1111 W. Sixth Street, A-230
Austin, TX 78703
512/414-9876 (office)
512/414-9962 (facsimile)
ombudsman@austinisd.org
District
Ombudsman
Office
Services for the Austin ISD
community of students and
parents.
Revised April 2007

What is an Ombudsman
An ombudsman serves as an independent and confidential resource,
assisting parents and the community in resolving problems, complaints,
conflicts, and other school-related issues when normal procedures
have failed. In AISD, the District Ombudsman represents the District’s
commitment to excellent customer service.
What should I expect from the District Ombudsman
Confidentiality
The District Ombudsman will not disclose any information provided in confidence, unless
there is an imminent risk of serious harm. Records pertaining to a complaint, inquiry, or
investigation are confidential and not subject to disclosure.
Impartiality
The District Ombudsman will conduct inquiries and investigations in an impartial manner,
free from initial bias and conflicts of interest.
Informality
The District Ombudsman’s services are an informal option to formal complaint procedures.
Independence
The District Ombudsman functions independently and is free from interference in the
legitimate performance of duties.
What will the District Ombudsman do
The Ombudsman will strive to:
• Solve problems.
• Serve as a resource to complainants by
providing an alternative to the formal
complaint process.
• Assist complainants in clarifying their
issues and generating options for
resolution.
• Serve as a resource to campus and
Central administrators by providing tools
for effective problem resolution.
• Hear anonymous requests for information
and provide referrals.
• Conduct informal interventions and
mediations.
• Make recommendations for change.
What will the District Ombudsman not do
The Ombudsman will not:
• Address employee grievances. Employee
grievances are handled by AISD’s
Department of Employee Relations
• Participate in litigation.
• Make, set, or change District policy.
• Compel any decision or the
implementation of recommendations
made as a result
of an informal
investigation.
• Breach
confidentiality.
Working together for the success of every child.