NONDISCRIMINATION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

NEPN/NSBA CODE AC

                                                                                                            NEPN/NSBA Code:  AC

 

Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity and

Affirmative Action

The Yarmouth School Department does not discriminate on the basis of sex or other protected categories in its education programs and activities, as required by federal and state laws/regulations.

 Discrimination against and harassment of school employees because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability or genetic information are prohibited.

 Discrimination against and harassment of students because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, ancestry or national origin, or disability are prohibited.

 “Race” includes traits associated with race, including hair texture, Afro hairstyles, and protective hairstyles, including braids, twists, and locks.

 “Sexual orientation” means a person’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality or homosexuality.

 "Gender identity" means the gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, regardless of the individual's assigned sex at birth.

 The School Committee 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 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 relating to nondiscrimination, including sexual 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/harassment and sexual harassment under this policy.  The school unit provides required notices of these complaint procedures and how they can be accessed, as well as 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 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000 (e) et seq.)

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.); 34

C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX regulations)

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d)

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.)

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 et

seq.), as amended

Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.), as amended

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (42 U.S.C. § 2000ff et seq.)

Maine Human Rights Act (5 MRSA § 4551 et seq.), as amended

Cross Reference:          Yarmouth School Department Affirmative Action Plan

ACAA – Harassment and Sexual Harassment of Students

ACAA-R – Student Discrimination/Harassment and Title IX Sexual Harassment

Complaint Procedures

ACAB – Harassment and Sexual Harassment of School   Employees

ACAB-R – Employee Discrimination/Harassment and Title IX   Sexual

Harassment Complaint Procedures

GBGB – Workplace Bullying

JICK – Bullying

JIE – Pregnant Students

Adopted:  March 28, 2002

Revised:   March 25, 2010, August 27, 2020, November 10, 2022, April 25,     2024, September 2024, October 10, 2024, April 10, 2025