Nondiscrimination Notice

It is the policy of the public schools that no person may be denied admission to any public school in the District, or be denied participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any curricular, co-curricular, pupil service, recreational or other program or activity because of the person's sex, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation including transgender status, gender expression, gender identity, gender nonconformity or change of sex, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability or handicap as required by s. 118.13 Wis. Stats. This policy also prohibits discrimination as defined by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race and national origin) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District encourages informal resolution of complaints under this policy. A formal complaint resolution is available, however, to address allegations of violation of the policy in the school district.

District Pupil Nondiscrimination Officer:
Jerry Nicholson
Director of Student Services
District Administrative Center
7106 South Ave.
Middleton, WI 53562
608-829-9054
jnicholson@mcpasd.k12.wi.us

District Title IX Officer:
Sherri Cyra
Assistant Superintendent
District Administrative Center
7106 South Ave.
Middleton, WI 53562
608-829-9033
scyra@mcpasd.k12.wi.us

Complaint Procedures

Any complaint regarding the interpretation or application of the District's student nondiscrimination policy shall be processed in accordance with the following grievance procedures:

1. Any student, parent or resident of the District complaining of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability or handicap, in school programs or activities shall report the complaint in writing to the building principal. There shall be no retaliation against any person who files a complaint under these procedures.

2. The building principal, upon receiving such a written complaint, shall immediately undertake an investigation of the suspected infraction. He/she will review with appropriate persons the facts comprising the alleged discrimination. Within 10 days after receiving the complaint, the principal shall decide the merits of the case, determine the action to be taken, if any, and report in writing the findings and the resolution of the case to the grievant.

3. If the grievant is dissatisfied with the decision of the principal, he/she may appeal the decision in writing to the Nondiscrimination Officer. The Nondiscrimination Officer shall investigate the alleged discrimination and make a written decision regarding the case within 10 days after receiving the complaint. Copies of the written decision shall be mailed or delivered to the grievant and the building principal.

4. If the grievant is dissatisfied with the decision of the Nondiscrimination Officer, he/she may appeal the decision in writing to the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall review the investigation process, and make a written decision regarding the case within 10 days after receiving the complaint. Copies of the written decision shall be mailed or delivered to the grievant, and the nondiscrimination officer and the building principal.

5. If the grievant is dissatisfied with the Superintendent's decision, he/she may within 30 days appeal the decision in writing to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

To get a copy of the Discrimination Complaint form, click here.

Discrimination Complaints Involving Students with Disabilities

Discrimination complaints relating to the identification, evaluation, educational placement or the provision of free appropriate education of a child with a disability shall be processed in accordance with established special education appeal procedures.

Due Process Hearing Procedures

The District shall exhaust all possible options before entering a hearing procedure.

These options shall include:

* a meeting of the parent(s) or guardian with designated special education personnel and the school principal, and
* a subsequent meeting, if necessary, with the aforementioned and the Superintendent.

In the event a mutually agreeable option is not reached, the District's due process procedure will be utilized.

As a part of each Individual Education Program or IEP team meeting, the parent or guardian will be informed of his/her right to a hearing as contained in section 115.81 of the statutes. This information will be provided both in writing and orally in his/ her native tongue, or will be signed if oral communication is not possible. The hearing will be conducted by an administrative law judge appointed by the Division of Hearings and Appeals.

IDEA Complaints

MCPASD encourages informal resolution of complaints through communication with the appropriate building principal or the Director of Student Services.

If informal resolution can not be attained, discrimination complaints relating to programs specifically governed by federal law or regulation (IDEA complaints) shall be referred directly to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Notification of the complaint procedures shall be included in student handbooks.

Right to Restrict Release of Directory Data

The district has designated the following information as directory information: student's name, address, telephone listing, photographs, date of birth, participation in officially-recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, year in school, dates of attendance, degrees, awards received, and the name of the school most recently attended.

Directory data may be released without consent unless the district is notified in writing within fourteen (14) calendar days of the beginning of school that all or part of the directory data may not be released without prior written consent of the parent/guardian or adult student. Objections to the release of directory data should be filed with the building principal.

Names of families will appear in school directories unless directed otherwise within the first two weeks of school.