Section 504/ADA Grievance Procedures

Complaints should be filed as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 calendar days from the date on which the alleged discrimination occurred or the person filing the complaint learned of the alleged discrimination. The District complaint form may be obtained by contacting the compliance officer (contact information below) or by using the link on this page. The complaint form may be mailed, emailed or personally delivered to the 504/ADA Compliance Officer.  

The 504/ADA Compliance Officer can be reached at:

Megan Braren
504/ADA Compliance Officer
Rondout Valley Central School District
PO Box 9
Accord, NY 12404
845-687-2400

If you have questions about the procedure for filing a complaint/report, please call Megan Braren, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services, 845-687-2400 Ext 4863. If unable to make the complaint in writing, students may contact a teacher, counselor, administrator or the 504/ADA Compliance Officer to assist with putting the complaint in writing. Employees may contact their supervisor or the 504/ADA Compliance Officer.

The written complaint must be signed by the person making the complaint, dated, and include at least the following information:

• Name and contact information of the person making the complaint and the alleged victim of discrimination (if different)
• Date(s), time(s), place(s) of alleged incident(s)
• Alleged perpetrators of the discrimination or harassment (names, identifiers, etc.)
• Description of each incident, by date
• Witnesses, if any (names and identifying information)
• Other relevant information
• Desired resolution – what you would like to see change as a result of the investigation

The written complaint should be forwarded to the 504/ADA Compliance Officer or the administrator or department head assisting the person making the complaint. If forwarded to the principal or other administrator, s/he will forward the complaint form to the 504/ADA Compliance Officer. 

1. Upon receipt of a written complaint, the 504/ADA Compliance Officer or his/her designee will begin a fact‐finding investigation which will be prompt and equitable to all parties and may involve, as appropriate, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. Individuals making complaints, as well as those accused of any type of discrimination, will have the opportunity to identify and/or present evidence or relevant witnesses. While the nature of an investigation will necessarily vary depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding a given complaint, the 504/ADA Compliance Officer will review evidence and conduct witness interviews as appropriate based on the nature of a given complaint.
   Where appropriate, the District may also take interim measures pending the completion of an investigation. Interim measures may include, but are not limited to, making arrangements to minimize contact between a complainant and an individual accused of engaging in discriminatory behavior and identification of support services for the involved individual(s).
2. In general, the 504/ADA Compliance Officer will render a decision within 60 calendar days after receipt of a complaint and provide written notice of the outcome of the investigation to the person making the complaint, Superintendent, and any individual who is the subject of the complaint. If additional time is needed for good cause, (e.g., key witnesses cannot be interviewed in a timely manner), the decision will be made as soon as reasonably possible. If the decision is to be delayed for good cause, the complainant, Superintendent, and other material parties shall so be notified and an estimated date for a decision will be provided.
3. In making a decision, the 504/ADA Compliance Officer will use a preponderance of the evidence standard, meaning he/she will determine whether it is more likely than not that discrimination occurred.

If the person making the complaint or a person who is the subject of a complaint is dissatisfied with the 504/ADA Compliance Officer’s decision, he/she may appeal the 504/ADA Compliance Officer’s decision to the Superintendent within 14 calendar days of receipt of the 504/ADA Compliance Officer’s written decision.

Appeals must be made in writing, and should be mailed, emailed or personally delivered to:

Dr. Joseph Morgan
Superintendent of Schools
PO Box 9
Accord, NY 12404
jmorgan@rondout.k12.ny.us

Appeals should, at minimum, identify the decision or part of the decision of the 504/ADA Compliance Officer that is being appealed and a brief description of the reason for the appeal and any additional relevant information. 

1. Within five business days of the District’s receipt of an appeal, the 504/ADA Compliance Officer will forward all materials relating to the original complaint and gathered during the investigation to the Superintendent or his/her designee. The Superintendent or his/her designee, who may also be an employee of the District, shall be an impartial decision-maker when considering such appeals.
2. The Superintendent, or designee, shall notify both parties of the appeal and the opportunity to submit a response. The Superintendent or designee shall and conduct a prompt, impartial, equitable and thorough review of the materials, as well as material submitted in support of or against the appeal by either party. S/he shall have the right to re‐interview witnesses, e.g., if testimony is unclear or new evidence has been brought to light, or to interview additional witnesses or otherwise review additional evidence if needed to ensure an equitable decision.
3. The Superintendent or designee shall provide written notice of his/her decision to the complainant, the 504/ADA Compliance Officer and the subject of the complaint within 30 calendar days of receiving the appeal, unless additional time is needed for good cause. If additional time is needed, material parties shall so be notified and provided with an estimated date for the issuance of the appeal decision.

The District will protect the confidentiality of any individual filing a complaint to the extent possible.  However, it may be necessary to reveal the complainant’s identity in order to fully investigate the complaint and comply with the District’s obligations under state and federal law. 

The availability and use of this grievance procedure does not prevent a person from filing a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the Office for Civil Rights. The Office for Civil Rights can be contacted at:

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
32 Old Slip, 26th floor
New York, NY 10005‐2500
Phone: 646‐428‐3900 / 800‐421‐3481 Fax: 646‐428‐3843
TDD: 877‐521‐2172
E‐mail: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov

Parents/guardians or students over age 18 will have an opportunity to participate in the hearing; be represented by counsel; examine relevant records; and seek a review of the decision, including judicial review.  These rights are explained further in the Section 504 Notice of Procedural Safeguards, a copy of which can be obtained from the 504/ADA Compliance Officer.