AC - Non-Discrimination/Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The school unit does not discriminate on the basis of sex and other protected categories in its education programs and activities, as required by federal and state laws and regulations.
The school unit prohibits discrimination, including harassment, of school employees on the basis of:
● Race (including traits associated with race involving hair texture, Afro hairstyles and protective hairstyles such as braids, twists, and locks);
● Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions;
● Parental, family, or marital status;
● Color;
● Religion;
● Ancestry or national origin;
● Age;
● Disability; and
● Genetic information.
The school unit prohibits discrimination, including harassment, of students on the basis of:
● Race (including traits associated with race involving hair texture, Afro hairstyles and protective hairstyles such as braids, twists, and locks);
● Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy, or related conditions;
● Parental, family, or marital status;
● Color;
● Religion;
● Ancestry or national origin; and
● Disability.
The Board directs the school administration to implement a continuing program designed to prevent discrimination against all applicants, employees, students, and other individuals having access rights to school premises, programs, and activities.
The school unit has designated and authorized an Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator who is responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal and state requirements prohibiting discrimination, including sexual/sex-based harassment. The Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator is a person with direct access to the Superintendent.
The school unit has implemented complaint procedures for resolving complaints of discrimination and harassment under this policy. The school unit provides required notices of non-discrimination policies and complaint procedures, how they can be accessed, and the school unit’s compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations to all applicants for employment, employees, students, parents, and other interested parties.
Legal Reference:
Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-261), amending
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e to 2000e-17.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), 20 U.S.C. §§
1681-1688, as amended by 34 C.F.R. § 106.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-7.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 623-634.
Equal Pay Act of 1963, 29 U.S.C. § 206.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), 29 U.S.C. §
794, as amended by 34 C.F.R. § 104.7.
Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12213, as amended
by 28 C.F.R. § 35.107.
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, 29 U.S.C. §§ 2000ff
to 2000ff-11.
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000gg to 2000gg-6.
Maine Human Rights Act, 5 M.R.S.A. §§ 4551-4634 (2023).
Cross Reference:
ACAA - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students
ACAA-R1 – Student Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Procedure
ACAA-R2 – Student Sex Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedure
ACAB - Harassment and Sexual Harassment of School Employees
ACAB-R1 – Employee Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Procedure
ACAB-R2 – Employee Sex Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedure
Adopted: May 18, 2009
Revised:
January 13, 2020
August 15, 2022
September 16, 2024