HPS Student and Parent Handbook 2019-2020

Harmony shall place the matter on the agenda of a future Board
meeting. The student or parent will be notified in writing of the
date, time, and location of the meeting at which the Board of
Directors will consider the student or parent complaint.
The Board of Directors shall consider the student or parent
complaint based on the written documentation previously
submitted by the student or parent and administration.
Additionally, the student/parent and the administration may
present written comments for consideration by the Board of
Directors. If the student/parent and/or the administration choose
to submit written comments such comments must be presented
no later than seven calendar days before the Board meeting at
which the complaint will be considered by the Board of Directors.
If, after considering the complaint and the written documentation
previously submitted and written comments submitted for the
Board of Directors’ consideration, if any, the Board of Directors
desires to hear an oral presentation the Board of Directors may, at
its discretion, require the appearance of the student or parent and
administration in a future board meeting. The Superintendent of
Schools or designee shall inform the student or parent of the date,
time, and location of the meeting and the Board may set a
reasonable time limit for oral presentations.
The Board of Directors shall communicate its decision, if any, orally
or in writing, at any time up to and including the next regularly
scheduled Board meeting after considering the complaint,
provided that if the Board of Directors decides to hear oral
presentations the Board of Directors shall communicate its
decision, if any, orally or in writing, at any time up to and including
the next Board meeting after hearing the oral presentations. If no
decision is made by the end of the next regularly scheduled Board
meeting, the last decision below shall be upheld. The Board of
Directors may not delegate its authority to issue a decision, and
any decision by the Board of Directors is final and may not be
appealed. The Board of Directors or designee shall inform the
student or parent complaining of the Board’s decision in writing.
If the complaint involves concerns or charges regarding a student
or Harmony employee, it shall be heard by the Board of Directors
in closed meeting unless the employee to whom the complaint
pertains requests that it be heard in public.
Additional Complaint Procedures
This Parent and Student Complains and Concerns Process does not
apply to all complaints:
1. Complaints alleging discrimination or harassment based on
race, color, gender, national origin, disability, or religion shall
be submitted in accordance with Board Policy PG-3.41
(discussing procedures for reporting prohibited conduct).
2. Complaints concerning retaliation related to discrimination
and harassment shall be submitted in accordance with Board
Policy PG-3.41 (discussing procedures for reporting
prohibited conduct).
3. Complaints concerning bullying or retaliation related to
bullying shall be submitted in accordance with “Freedom from
Bullying and Cyberbullying,” see page 28.
4. For complaints concerning loss of credit on the basis of
attendance, see page 9.
5. For complaints concerning disciplinary expulsions, see page
63.
6. Complaints concerning identification, evaluation, or
educational placement of a student with a disability within
the scope of Section 504, shall be submitted in accordance
with Board Policy PG-3.30 (Parent and Student Complaints
and Grievances), subject to the time limitations referenced in
Board Policy PG-3.11 (Equal Educational Opportunity) and the
procedural safeguards handbook. In accordance with PG-3.11
(Equal Educational Opportunity), Level One complaints
concerning identification, evaluation, or educational
placement of a student with a disability within the scope of
Section 504 shall be filed within fifteen (15) school days of the
time the event(s) causing the complaint were or should have
been known.
7. Complaints concerning identification, evaluation, educational
placement, or discipline of a student with a disability within
the scope of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
shall be submitted in accordance with Board Policy 3.26
(Student Discipline: Students with Disabilities) and the
procedural safeguards provided to parents of all students
referred to special education.
8. For complaints regarding the Free and Reduced-Price Meal
Program, see Board Policy 3.30.
Annual Notice of Parent and Student
Rights (Annual FERPA Confidentiality
Notice)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords
parents and students over 18 years of age (eligible students)
certain rights with respect to the student’s educational records.
These rights include the following:
The Right to Inspect and Review
Parents and/or eligible students have the right to inspect and
review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day
the school receives a request for access. Parents or eligible
students should submit to the Principal a written request that
identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school will make
arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student
of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
If circumstances effectively prevent the parent or eligible student
from exercising the right to inspect and review the student’s
educational records, the school shall provide the parent or eligible
75 | Revised in July 2019