Grievance Procedures

Section 504 & Title II Grievance Procedures

Acero Schools has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging Acero's non-compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Rehab Act”) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”). Each of these laws prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance and certain public entities.

Any person who believes he/she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, or witnesses alleged discrimination on the basis of disability, may file a grievance under this procedure. Retaliation against a person who files a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability pursuant to the grievance procedure, or persons who participate in related proceedings, is prohibited.

Acero will take all necessary actions to stop disability discrimination, remedy its effects, and prevent its recurrence.

The following individual is Acero Schools' Section 504/Title II Coordinator:

Bridgette Sprovieri
Acero Schools Assistant Director of Specialized Instruction
18 S. Michigan Ave., Floor 9
Chicago, Illinois 60603

[email protected].

+1 (312) 637-3900

The following is Acero Schools' Section 504 grievance procedure:

Grievances must be submitted to the Section 504 Coordinator, verbally or in writing, within ten (10) business days of the date the person filing the grievance becomes aware of the alleged discriminatory action.

The grievance must contain the name and address of the person filing the grievance, and state the problem or action alleged to be discriminatory. If the person filing the grievance is the victim of the alleged discrimination (“Complainant”), the complaint must also state the remedy or relief sought.

The Section 504 Coordinator shall contact the Complainant, and other relevant witnesses, and determine if an investigation is appropriate.

If an investigation is appropriate, the Section 504 Coordinator shall conduct an investigation of the complaint, affording all interested persons an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint.

If an investigation is not appropriate, the Section 504 Coordinator shall inform Complainant.

The Section 504 Coordinator will issue a written decision on the grievance no later than thirty (30) days after its filing and provide both parties a copy of the written decision, unless the Section 504 Coordinator documents reasons for delays and communicates these reasons with the Complainant and accused. The written decision shall contain a determination of whether allegations were substantiated, whether any policies were violated, and recommendations for corrective action, if any. The written decision shall be final and binding.

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 U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. At any time during this process, a grievant may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education at the following address:

Office for Civil Rights
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475
Chicago, Illinois 60661-4544
Telephone: +1 (312) 730-1560
TDD toll-free: +1 (877) 521-2172
Fax: (312) 730-1576

To the extent possible, confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigation of a complaint of unlawful discrimination or harassment.

Pending the final outcome of a complaint, Acero shall institute interim measures to protect the alleged victim and inform him/her of support services available. Interim measure examples may include, but are not limited to, Acero-enforced no contact order, schedule changes, academic modifications for an alleged student victim, and/or school counseling for an alleged student victim. These interim measures should have minimum impact on the alleged victim. If the accused is a student, interim measures should also take into consideration the accused student’s educational rights.

http://www.boarddocs.com/il/ucsn/Board.nsf/Public