GUIDELINES FOR RESOLVING CITIZEN CONCERNS

Working together to ensure each student becomes a successful and productive citizen in a diverse society.

Conflict Resolution

Do you have a concern or wonder how to resolve an issue that you may be experiencing? We have developed the following guidelines to help our families and community members know the steps to follow to address any concerns or issues.

We are always open to hear your feedback. Please feel free to contact your child's school directly if it is a school matter, or contact the district office if it is a district or community matter.

You can also share your appreciation, thoughts, and concerns with us! Email communications@msd25.org.

The Marysville School District expects the educational and support staff to act in a professional manner and according to accepted educational practice, and furthermore presumes that citizens and employees are committed to acting in the best interest of students.

However, we recognize the rights of individuals to present complaints or concerns directly to practices occurring in the schools.  The purpose of this brochure is to assist in handling such complaints in the most timely and effective manner.

The Board of Directors relies on its teachers, staff, and administrators to resolve the concerns of citizens.  It is the policy of the Board to provide for such resolutions first at the level most directly involved and in an informal manner, if possible.  If such resolution cannot be accomplished, however, procedures are available for review at the highest administrative level with an opportunity for appeal to the School Board.

LEVELS OF REVIEW

Consistent with the policy of resolution at the level most directly involved and providing opportunities to appeal such decisions to higher administrative levels, complaints shall proceed through the following steps of review:

Step I: Teacher or Other Staff Person

Step II: Building Principal or Immediate Supervisor

Step III: Executive Director or Deputy Superintendent

Step IV: Superintendent of Schools or designee

Step V: Board of Directors

STEP I

If a citizen has a concern about any aspect of the operation of the schools, he/she should initiate the question or objection with the district employee most directly involved with the specific situation.  Many complaints are due to a lack of complete information or miscommunication.  Going straight to the source of concern is the best way to get complete information.  You may discuss your concern over the phone or arrange an in-person conference.  The more you can increase the communication at this point of service, the greater are chances of resolving your concern.

STEP II

If you cannot resolve your concern through discussion with the employee involved, you should request a conference with the employee and his or her building principal or another immediate supervisor.  This administrator is closest to the situation or problem and will often be able to assist or mediate a resolution to the problem.  In order to facilitate the greatest level of communication, the district employee involved should usually be present at the conference.  {Please note that a complaint specifically about the use of district-adopted curriculum and instructional materials will be handled according to Policy 2020, which is available from your building principal.}  Within ten working days, the supervisor will contact the grievant and arrange a mutually agreed upon date and time to hear the grievant's concerns.

STEP III

If you are still dissatisfied with the results of the above conferences you should request a meeting with the Central Office Administrator who is most logically involved with the program in question.  One of his or her first questions will be about your attempts at Step I and Step II resolutions.  Here are the phone numbers for administrators available to assist you:

  1. Special Education Programs 360-965-0173

  2. Curriculum and Instruction 360-965-0016

  3. Vocational Programs 360-965-0026

  4. Highly Capable Education 360-965-0038

  5. Indian Education 360-965-2863

  6. Buses / Transportation 360-965-0300

  7. Athletics 360-965-0111

  8. Food Services 360-965-0115

  9. Maintenance 360-965-0136

  10. Purchasing 360-965-0106

  11. Finance 360-965-0094

  12. Facilities Scheduling 360-965-0147

  13. Human Resources 360-965-0070

  14. Technology 360-965-0190

Within ten working days, the supervisor will contact the grievant and arrange a mutually agreed upon date and time to hear the grievant's concerns.

STEP IV

If either party (citizen or district employee) is dissatisfied with the decision or response of the Central Office Supervisor or Administrator, he/ she may appeal to the Superintendent.  Within ten working days, the superintendent or designee, will contact the grievant and arrange a mutually agreed upon date and time to hear the grievant's concerns.  Such appeal shall be in writing and shall include at least all prior decisions and a statement of the complaint and reasons for the appeal to Step IV resolution.  The superintendent or designee will review the decision and will submit an administrative decision to the Board of Directors.  The superintendent will also inform the complainant and the staff members involved of that decision.

STEP V

If either party (citizen or district employee) is dissatisfied with the decision of the superintendent, he/ she may appeal to the Board of Directors.  Such appeal shall be in writing and directed to the superintendent (who serves the office of Secretary for the Board) and shall include at least all prior decisions and a statement of the complaint and reasons for the appeal.

The Board shall have the discretion to accept or reject the matter for review.  If it rejects the matter, the superintendent’s decision shall be final.  If it accepts the matter, the Board will consider the appeal at the next scheduled Board meeting (This meeting is closed unless the complainant requests an open meeting).  At such a meeting, the Board may hear arguments from the parties, review the prior decisions and evidence, and make such inquiry, as it deems necessary, the days after this meeting unless additional time is needed.  The Board’s decision will be final.

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