Any form of discrimination or harassment can be devastating to an individual's academic progress, social relationship, and/or personal sense of self-worth. Therefore, the School Board will not discriminate nor tolerate harassment in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status, or gender identity), disability (including HIV, Aids, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, marital status, age (except as authorized by law), religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information, which are classes protected by State and/or Federal law (collectively, "protected classes").

The School Board also does not discriminate on the basis of protected classes in its employment policies and practices as they relate to students. Equal educational opportunities shall be available to all students for all programs, without regard to the protected classes, age (unless age is a factor necessary to the normal operation or the achievement of any legitimate objective of the program/activity), place of residence within the boundaries of the District, or social or economic background, to learn through the curriculum offered in this District. Limited English Proficient (LEP), including immigrant children and youth, will not be a barrier to admission and participation in any District programs, vocational classes, courses, or career path studies.

The School Board shall verify that facilities are made available for non-curricular student activities that are initiated by parent/guardians or other members of the community, including but not limited to any group that is officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America or any other youth group listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society.

The School Board designates the following individuals to serve as the District’s Compliance Officers (CO); Tonya Whitehurst, Human Resources and Diana Drew, Student Services at 200 Reid Street, Palatka, FL 32177, (386)-329-0538.

In any case of sexual discrimination or harassment allegation, the School Board designates Michael Stevens as the District Title IX Coordinator, Section 504 and Equity Officer at 200 Reid Street, Palatka, FL 32177, phone 386-329-0538, email mstevens@my.putnamschools.org

Title IX Page

The COs are responsible for coordinating the District's efforts to comply with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, including the District's duty to address in a prompt and equitable manner any inquiries or complaints regarding discrimination or denial of equal access.

The COs shall also verify that proper notice of non-discrimination for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (as amended), Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, the Florida Educational Equity Act, and/or their implementing regulations is provided to students, their parent/guardians, staff members, and the general public.

A copy of each of the acts and regulations on which this notice is based may be found in the CO's office. For further information on unlawful discrimination or retaliation contact the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights ("OCR").

The Atlanta Office of the OCR can be reached at 61 Forsyth Street, SW. - Suite 16T70 Atlanta, GA 30303-8909 (404) 562-7886; (404) 562-7884; (800) 421-3481; TDD: (404) 562-7881 FAX; Web: http://www.ed.gov/ocr.