1. DISCRIMINATION & Harassment
What You Need to Know About
DISCRIMINATION & Harassment

2. Discrimination-Free, Harassment-Free Work and Educational Environment
The Kyrene School District has a no-tolerance policy for any form of discrimination, harassment or other offensive conduct that is directed at individuals based upon any non-job related or education-related characteristic. This includes an employee’s or student’s race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and, in the case of employees, veteran’s status. Harassment includes any physical or verbal conduct demonstrating hostility toward a person because of one of these characteristics.

3. Kyrene School District Policy AC: “Non-Discrimination/Equal Opportunity”
“The Board is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in relation to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression. This policy will prevail in all matters concerning staff members, students, the public, educational programs and services, and individuals with whom the Board does business.”
Retaliation against a person for asserting his or her rights is also prohibited.
Remember – employees, students, their families and members of the public are all subject to protection of their rights under this policy and applicable federal and state law.

4. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Arizona Attorney General
The EEOC and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office enforce federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination and harassment, including:
Unfair treatment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information
Harassment by managers, co-workers, or others in the workplace based upon the protected categories
Denial of a reasonable workplace accommodation that the employee needs because of religious beliefs or disability
Retaliation because the employee complained about job discrimination, or assisted with a job discrimination investigation or lawsuit

5. U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Kyrene School District Policy JB – “Equal Educational Opportunities”
The OCR enforces five federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability and age in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education. This includes public school districts like the Kyrene School District. Kyrene Policy JB – Equal Educational Opportunities, requires that the right of a student to participate fully in classroom instruction shall not be abridged or impaired because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or any other reason not related to the student's individual capabilities.

6. If this is happening to you…
Any person who feels unlawfully discriminated against or who has been the victim of unlawful discrimination, including harassment or retaliation, by an agent or employee of the District, or who knows of such discrimination against another person, should promptly file a complaint with the District’s Compliance Officer and Section 504/Title II Grievance Coordinator, Dr. Mark Knight.
He can be reached at , by at or at the District Office at 8700 S. Kyrene Road, Tempe, AZ
Policy Regulation AC-R – Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity
AC-E for general complaints of prohibited discrimination
Policy Regulation GBA-R – Equal Employment Opportunity
GBA-E for employment discrimination
Policy Regulation JB-R – Equal Educational Opportunity
JB-E for discrimination in educational programs
Kyrene School District provides prompt and equitable means to resolve discrimination or retaliation complaints.

7. If you are engaging in discrimination, harassing behavior or retaliation…
…Stop this conduct immediately!
Discrimination, harassment and retaliatory conduct is in violation of federal and state laws, and of the Kyrene School District Governing Board policies.
A complaint may be made against you. Any complaint made to the District Compliance Officer will be thoroughly investigated. If the investigation finds discrimination, harassment or retaliation has occurred, corrective steps, which may include dismissal from employment, will be taken to ensure the behavior ceases.