Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Non-Discrimination
An affirmative action program shall be a part of every aspect of employment not limited to but including upgrading; demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation including fringe benefits; employment selection or selection for training and apprenticeships; promotion; or tenure.
The PVRHSD Board of Education believes that the quality of the professional staff in large part determines the quality of the education offered to district pupils. Therefore, the superintendent shall have the responsibility of locating and recruiting the best qualified candidates to provide for the needs of district pupils.
The superintendent shall recommend for employment those individuals who, in his/her opinion, are best qualified to fill the vacancy without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability or socioeconomic status, or other conditions not related to the duties and responsibilities of the job. When making recommendations for employment, the superintendent shall act in accordance with the district's affirmative action goals.
The Board of Education shall maintain a working environment that is free from sexual harassment. Administrators and supervisors will make it clear to all staff that sexual harassment is prohibited in the workplace or educational setting. Specifically, no supervisory employee shall threaten or insinuate, either directly or indirectly, that an employee's refusal to submit to sexual advances will adversely affect the employee's continued employment, evaluation, compensation, assignment, or advancement. No supervisory employee shall promise or suggest, either directly or indirectly, that an employee's submission to sexual advances will result in any improvement in any term or condition of employment of an employee.
The Board's affirmative action program shall recognize and value the diversity of persons and groups within society and promote the acceptance of persons of diverse backgrounds regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, socioeconomic status or any other status or characteristic identified by applicable state or federal law. It is the policy of the PVRHSD Board of Education to avoid discrimination. Any student, parent, staff or community member who has a concern arising from alleged prejudice or discrimination on the basis of the aforementioned items, may contact the Affirmative Action Officer(s) or utilize the District Affirmative Action Grievance Procedure. [See- Policies 1140, 1550, 2260, 3362, 4352, 5750, 5755]
Sexually harassing conduct in the workplace committed by non-supervisory personnel is also prohibited. Staff may file a formal grievance related to sexual harassment. The Affirmative Action Officer will receive all complaints, carry out a thorough investigation, and will protect the rights of both the person making the complaint and the alleged harasser. [See Policies 3362, 4352]
Findings of discrimination in the form of sexual harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action.
It is the intent of the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education to comply with the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972.