Renaissance Academy Grievance Policy
Per our Governing Body Policy, B.16, the Renaissance Academy staff and faculty shall treat parental concerns with respect and demonstrate a genuine interest in developing solutions. Any student or parent who believes they have been aggrieved by a member of the school’s staff or community should address their concerns directly with the faculty, administration, or Head Administrator to reach a satisfactory resolution.
Level I Teacher-Parent
A grievance will be initiated by the parent/guardian, when needed, against the school as anorganization. A parent/guardian should make every effort to resolve the issue with the classroomteacher. The parent must inform the teacher that they have a conflict or grievance and that a meeting is desired.
Timeline: The teacher will offer a meeting date with the parent that normally is within 3 working days of notification that there is a conflict or grievance.
The parent will meet with the teacher to resolve the conflict. Both the parent and teacher will document the meeting to detail the conflict including what happened, how, where, when, and identification of anyone else present. The documentation will also detail appropriate actions being taken to resolve the conflict.
If the parent is satisfied with the resolution, the documentation between the parent and teacher must specify that the issue is resolved or closed. Such documentation should be signed by the parent/guardian and teacher. If the parent is not satisfied with the resolution or actions from past parent-teacher meetings, they must specify this in the documentation and inform the teacher that the parent intends to refer the issue to the Assistant Principal.
Level II - Assistant Principal-Teacher-Parent Meeting
The parent must write a letter to the Assistant Principal describing the conflict or grievance that has been attempted to be resolved while working with the teacher. The Assistant Principal will schedule a meeting with the Teacher and Parent involved. Both the letter to the Assistant Principal and the parent-teacher meeting documentation will be available at this meeting. The goal of this meeting is to resolve the conflict or grievance to the satisfaction of both the parent and teacher.
Timeline: The Assistant Principal will offer a meeting date with the parent and teacher that is normally within 5 working days of notification that there is a conflict or grievance.
If the parent is satisfied with the resolution, the documentation between the parent, teacher, and
Assistant Principal must specify that the issue is resolved or closed. Such documentation should be signed by the parent/guardian, teacher, and Assistant Principal. If the parent is not satisfied with the resolution or actions from past parent-teacher- Assistant Principal meetings, they must specify this in the documentation and inform the teacher and Assistant Principal that the parent intends to refer the issue to the Head Administrator.
Level III - Head Administrator-Assistant Principal-Teacher-Parent Meeting
The parent must provide the original letter to the Head Administrator with updates as to what has been attempted while working with the teacher and Assistant Principal. The Head Administrator will schedule a meeting with the Assistant Principal, Teacher, and Parent involved. Both the letter to the Head Administrator and the parent-teacher-Assistant Principal meeting documentation will be available at this meeting. The goal of this meeting is to resolve the conflict or grievance to the satisfaction of both the parent and teacher with agreement by the Assistant Principal.
Timeline: The Head Administrator will offer a meeting date with the parent, teacher, and
Assistant Principal that is normally within 5 working days of notification that there is a conflict or grievance. If the parent is satisfied with the resolution, the documentation between the Head Administrator, parent, teacher, and Assistant Principal must specify that the issue is resolved or closed. Such documentation should be signed by the parent/guardian, teacher, Assistant Principal, and Head Administrator. If the parent is not satisfied with the resolution or actions from previous Head Administrator, parent teacher-Assistant Principal meetings, they must specify this in the documentation and inform the teacher, Assistant Principal, and Head Administrator that the parent intends to refer the issue to the Governing Body.
Level IV - Head Administrator-Board-Parent
If the parent or student is not satisfied with the Head Administrator’s action, he or she may file a written complaint with the Governing Body seeking a review of the Head Administrator’s action. The parent must send the original letter, along with what has been attempted while working with the teacher, Assistant Principal, and Head Administrator to the Governing Body, including all documentation of Levels II and III. The conflict or grievance is then discussed in a closed session of the next regularly scheduled Governing Body meeting. Both the parent and Head Administrator provide the documentation and potential resolution to the Governing Body. Because this is a closed meeting, no minutes will be taken.
The Governing Body will review and provide its actions or resolution to both the parent and Head Administrator at this Governing Body meeting. If additional time to consider the resolution is needed, the Governing Body will schedule a follow-up meeting within ten (10) working days. A member/s from the Governing Body will notify both parties in writing of the final decision.
NO FURTHER REVIEW IS AVAILABLE. The determination of the Governing Body is final.
Definitions:
Grievance - A grievance will be defined as a dispute between a parent/guardian and RACS.
The school’s conflict resolution (i.e. grievance) procedure is designed to ensure a parent/guardian and the school a fair hearing of legitimate grievances. The parent must always begin with Level I – Parent and Teacher Meeting.
Record - A written record of each meeting will be made and kept as part of the conflict or grievance file. These are kept by the teacher, Principal, or Head Administrator.